half-staff

noun

ˈhaf-ˈstaf How to pronounce half-staff (audio)
ˈhäf-

Examples of half-staff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The White House lowered its flags to half-staff after Scott’s death. Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026 The city will lower its flags to half-staff and keep its gateway monument lights dark through April 29 in Cluck's honor, a city spokesperson told CBS News Texas. Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 Flags were flown at half-staff at the state Capitol building and on government buildings in Coral Springs on Friday in her honor. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 Following his death, county officials ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff for the remainder of the week. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for half-staff

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-staff was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Half-staff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-staff. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster