Definition

1. Noun:
   • A position on a flagpole or mast that is halfway between the top and bottom: This is the standard position to which a flag is lowered as a mark of respect, mourning, or as a distress signal. The flag is not flown at the very top (the peak) but at a point approximately halfway down.

Usage

• As a noun: The term "half-mast" is used to describe the of the flag. It is most commonly used in the phrases "at half-mast" or "to half-mast."
  • Flags were flown at half-mast across the country to honor the fallen soldiers.
  • The captain ordered the flag to be lowered to half-mast as a sign of distress.

Advanced Usage

• "To fly a flag at half-mast": This is the standard idiom for displaying a flag in the half-mast position as a gesture of mourning or respect.

  • The government decreed that all flags should be flown at half-mast for a national day of mourning.

• "To lower a flag to half-mast": This describes the action of moving the flag from the top of the pole to the half-mast position.

  • As the funeral procession began, the sailors lowered the flag to half-mast.

Variants and Related Words

• Half-staff: (Noun) A synonym for "half-mast," but this term is typically used when referring to flags on land, especially on government buildings. "Half-mast" is traditionally used for flags on ships or nautical poles.
  • The presidential proclamation ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on all federal buildings.

Synonyms

• Half-staff: (As explained above, used primarily for land-based flagpoles.)

Related Phrases

• At half-mast: The standard prepositional phrase indicating the flag's position.

  • The somber ceremony concluded with the flag remaining at half-mast.

• To be at half-mast: Can be used figuratively to describe something that is lowered or in a subdued state, though this is an idiomatic extension.

  • (Figurative) After hearing the bad news, his spirits were at half-mast for the rest of the day.

Noun

1. a position some distance below the top of a mast to which a flag is lowered in mourning or to signal distress