half-mast

1 of 2

noun

ˈhaf-ˈmast 

ˈhäf-

: a point some distance but not necessarily halfway down below the top of a mast or staff or the peak of a gaff

half-mast

2 of 2

verb

half-masted; half-masting; half-masts

transitive verb

: to cause to hang at half-mast

half-mast a flag

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1588, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

half-mast

noun

ˈhaf-ˈmast,

ˈhȧf-

: a point about halfway down below the top of a mast or staff

flags hanging at half-mast