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

Examples of half-mast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko has declared a day of mourning, with flags on municipal buildings set to be flown at half-mast. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 2 July 2026

Here's when flags are traditionally lowered in the United States and the difference between half-mast and half-staff. — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 May 2026

Verb

However, the palace still maintained a few traditions — including lowering some flags to half-mast across the country during the period of mourning. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Though her own enthusiasm is half-mast at best. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1800, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for half-mast

• aghast
• amassed
• biassed
• broadcast
• bypassed
• downcast
• forecast
• foremast
• harassed
• holdfast
• mainmast
• newscast

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