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

Following the tragic incident, the City Council of Brión announced two official days of mourning during which flags will fly at half-mast on municipal buildings. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026

Kyiv officials announced a day of mourning on Friday to honor the victims, with national flags at half-mast across the city of three million people. —Reuters, NBC news, 15 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