half-staff

noun

ˈhaf-ˈstaf 

ˈhäf-

: half-mast

Examples of half-staff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditionally, flags are flown at half-staff on the day of a senator’s death and the day following. — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Once selected, state flags will be ordered to fly at half-staff on Nicholas's memorial date to honor his bravery and sacrifice. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 13 July 2026

As Folarin Balogun’s left-footed poke tickled the back of the net to give the Americans a 1-0 lead just before halftime, beer can after beer can was lowered to half-staff. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026

When and why does the American flag fly at half-staff? — Darleene Powells, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for half-staff

• behalf
• carafe
• distaff
• falstaff
• giraffe
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph