half-gallon

[ haf-gal-uhn, hahf- ]

noun

1. a half of a gallon, equal to 2 quarts (1.9 liters).

adjective

1. holding or consisting of two quarts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-gallon¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

The dairy sells glass half-gallon jugs of fresh milk at about 20 retailers from Fairbanks to Homer, with an additional 20 carrying only yogurt or gallon-size plastic milk jugs.

From Seattle Times

For those who managed to snag a spot in the barn’s rafters, the evening was a celebration of cows: their majestic moos, their picturesque habitat and their unpasteurized milk, which Churchtown sells for $6 per half-gallon, plus a $2 bottle deposit fee.

From Seattle Times

Mary-Ellen McDonald, 74, makes ice cream sundaes with homemade fudge sauce by the half-gallon.

From Seattle Times

She was handed two half-gallon containers of low-fat milk, cereal, oranges, bags of cookies, containers of hummus, small bags of carrots and other snacks.

From New York Times

Sam’s so-called “big brother” — the one who gave Sam a half-gallon bottle of rum that night and told him to “drink the family drink” — received just 19 days in jail.

From Seattle Times