half mast
/ˈhæfˌmæst/
noun
- The position of a flag that is halfway down the flagpole, used as a sign of respect or mourning.
- Flags at the school were at half-mast to honor the former teacher.
- They raised the flag to half-mast for a moment of silence.
- The president ordered the flag to be flown at half-mast after the tragedy.
adverb
- At or to a position halfway down a flagpole.
- The national flag was flying half-mast across the country.
- The flag hung half-mast all day.
- They lowered the flag half-mast as a sign of grief.