half-moon

noun

ˈhaf-ˌmün 

ˈhäf-

1

: the moon when half its disk appears illuminated

2

: something shaped like a crescent

3

: the lunule of a fingernail

half-moon adjective

Examples of half-moon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Garnish with a mint sprig and/or an orange half-moon. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2025

What to look for in a quality ice cube tray Shape Ice cube trays come in a variety of shapes, such as spheres, rectangles and half-moons. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025

For a broad forehead, apply in a half-moon shape along the top of the forehead and work the product into your hairline. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025

To set the stage for Trump’s speech on Thursday, in the East Room of the White House, a group of children sat at school desks that had been arranged in a half-moon facing the audience, with an empty Presidential podium at the center. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for half-moon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

half-moon

noun

-ˌmün

: the moon when half its disk appears lighted

Medical Definition

half-moon

noun

-ˌmün 

: lunula sense a