half-mast

American

[haf-mast, hahf-mahst] / ˈhæfˈmæst, ˈhɑfˈmɑst /

noun

a position approximately halfway between the top of a mast, staff, etc., and its base.

verb (used with object)

to place (a flag) at half-mast, as a mark of respect for the dead or as a signal of distress.

half-mast British

noun

the lower than normal position to which a flag is lowered on a mast as a sign of mourning or distress

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

(tr) to put (a flag) in this position

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of half-mast

First recorded in 1620–30

Compare meaning

How does half-mast compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

half-staff vs. half-mast

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Tumbler Ridge, flags remained at half-mast on Thursday, and a memorial to the victims was growing as mourners stopped by to drop off teddy bears and flowers and pause for a moment of silence.

From BBC

On Wednesday, flags flew at half-mast in railway stations across Ukraine.

From BBC

Flags were flown at half-mast and thousands of security officers have been deployed.

From BBC

Flags will fly at half-mast and Australians are being asked to light a candle in their windows to honour the victims.

From BBC

A moment of silence was held before the game with security tightened at a packed Adelaide Oval where flags were flying at half-mast.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023