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• half-moon
  half-moon

  noun

  the moon when, at either quadrature, half its disk is illuminated.
• Half Moon
  Half Moon

  noun

  the ship in which Henry Hudson made his voyage to explore America in 1609.

half-moon

¹ American  

[haf-moon, hahf-] / ˈhæfˈmun, ˈhɑf- /

noun

1. the moon when, at either quadrature, half its disk is illuminated.

2. the phase of the moon at this time.

3. something having the shape of a half-moon or crescent.

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Half Moon ² American  

noun

1. the ship in which Henry Hudson made his voyage to explore America in 1609.

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half-moon British  

noun

1. the moon at first or last quarter when half its face is illuminated

2. the time at which a half-moon occurs

3. 1. something shaped like a half-moon

   2. ( as modifier )

      half-moon spectacles

4. anatomy a nontechnical name for lunula

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Etymology

Origin of half-moon

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

half-moon Half Moon

And then there are the Mayer’s new front doors, sporting curved, half-moon glass reminiscent of a classic theater.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

To this day, when the pool is drained, the hotel retouches the lines, refreshing Hockney’s iconic blue half-moon marks every year or so.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2025

Guests will be able to visit 10 wineries for tastings — some of which are offering additional attractions like an eclipse eve tarot card reading, special slushies and half-moon cookies.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 15, 2024

Speaking on a crisp Friday morning at a lodge of an Italian-American fraternal group in the Des Moines suburbs, she addressed a packed room of mostly older voters arranged around her in a half-moon.

From Slate ● Jan. 14, 2024

Above the tree line, the half-moon is almost too bright to look at.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Horticulture teacher Travis Gienger hauled his pumpkin from Minnesota to Half Moon Bay, California, for the annual pumpkin weighing event.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

The incident involved a seasonal lifeguard at Francis Beach, the main hub of Half Moon Bay State Beach, according to Adeline Yee, spokesperson for California State Parks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

Half Moon partner Brandon Carnovale said Findell’s support for Field and call for improved board governance was a welcome approach.

From Barron's ● May 28, 2026

There have also been reports of high surf near Half Moon Bay in San Francisco and some flooding in the Elkhorn Slough area in the northern part of Monterey County on Hwy 1.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 3, 2026

I vas in mine little yocht, te Half Moon, and, haaving carried away my powsprit, put into a creek unter Sachem's Heat to cut another from te treesh dere.

From Captain Kyd, Vol. II or, The Wizard of the Sea by Jonathon Holt Ingraham

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