semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər How to pronounce semester (audio)
1
: either of the two usually 18-week periods of instruction into which an academic year is often divided
2
: a period of six months
semestral
sə-ˈme-strəl How to pronounce semester (audio)
adjective
or semestrial
sə-ˈme-strē-əl How to pronounce semester (audio)

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Students who fell in love during the study saw their list of personal characteristics grow by roughly 20% over the semester. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 Since his status lapsed, Ortega started a GoFundMe in case his renewal doesn’t come in time for the new semester. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Persistence rates are defined as the percentages of students who stay enrolled either at their original college or a different one for their second semester and also for the next fall. — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Schmidt was a fourth-semester student studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus, which is the school's online campus. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for semester

Word History

Etymology

German, from Latin semestris half-yearly, from sex six + mensis month — more at six, moon

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semester was in 1827

Phrases Containing semester

Rhymes for semester

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Browse Nearby Words

Semeostoma
semester
semester hour
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Semester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semester. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

semester

noun
se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər How to pronounce semester (audio)
: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year

More from Merriam-Webster on semester

Nglish: Translation of semester for Spanish Speakers

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