half-moon

noun

ˈhaf-ˌmün 

ˈhäf-

1

: the moon when half its disk appears illuminated

2

: something shaped like a crescent

3

: the lunule of a fingernail

half-moon adjective

Examples of half-moon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Black and white cookies were brought to the U.S., specifically New York, in 1902, and half-moon cookies were brought to upstate New York at a bakery called Hemstrought’s in the 1920s. —Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025

For years, scientists believed the Alberta butterflies were just a unique population of half-moon hairstreaks, or Satyrium semiluna, a species found throughout the western United States. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025

Just behind a half-moon driveway, the expansive and putting-green-like, level 2.4-acre grounds are a setting for an extraordinary estate that stands as testament to craftsmanship, intentional design, and just the right amount of imagination. —Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025

Garnish with a mint sprig and/or an orange half-moon. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for half-moon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

half-moon

noun

-ˌmün

: the moon when half its disk appears lighted

Medical Definition

half-moon

noun

-ˌmün 

: lunula sense a