Halted

/ˈhɔːltɪd/

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To stop moving or proceeding; to bring to a stop.

/ˈhɔːltɪd/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To bring to a stop; cease movement.

The car halted abruptly at the red light.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking down the street and suddenly decide to stop. That's halting! It's like when you yell 'STOP!' and a game pauses.

👶 For kids: To stop!

More Examples

2

The negotiations halted when neither side could agree.

3

The construction work halted due to inclement weather.

How It's Used

General

"The train halted at the station."

Military

"The officer ordered the troops to halt."

2

To falter or hesitate; to be unsure or indecisive.

/ˈhɔːltɪd/

verbneutralmedium
Literature

To hesitate or falter.

His explanation halted mid-sentence, as he searched for the right words.

💡 Simply: Sometimes, when you're telling a story, you might pause or stutter a bit. That's like your speech halting. It's a little pause before you continue.

👶 For kids: To stop talking or doing something for a little bit.

More Examples

2

The runner's pace halted as he felt a sharp pain.

3

The project halted due to a lack of funding.

How It's Used

Figurative

"His voice halted for a moment, and then he continued to speak."

Tip:When you halt, your flow is stopped, just like your speech.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English halten, from Old English healtian (“to limp, be lame”).

The word 'halt' has been used since Old English, initially referring to limping or being lame, and later to stopping or ceasing movement.

Memory tip

Think of a traffic stop: you HALT your car.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to limp; to stop"

halt abruptlyhalt suddenlyhalt the processhalt athalt in

Common misspellings

halttedhaltid

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written