half-mast

[ haf-mast, hahf-mahst ]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

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

half-mast

noun

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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-mast¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Spain began an official three-day national mourning period on Thursday with flags at half-mast on government buildings and minutes of silence held.

From BBC

Later, after McCain died in 2018 and his funeral was being planned, Trump said, “We’re not going to support that loser’s funeral,” and asked why flags were being flown at half-mast.

From Salon

Flags at Anfield and Liverpool's training grounds will be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect.

From BBC

Sunflowers have since become a symbol of the tragedy and relatives carried them past flags flying at half-mast at the Dutch monument not far from Schiphol Airport.

From BBC

A flag was seen flying at half-mast at Bancroft's School on Wednesday.

From BBC