semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər 

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 

adjective

or semestrial

sə-ˈme-strē-əl 

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While attending Seattle University, Jones played in the college band and continued to study music, but completed just one semester before transferring to Boston’s Berklee College of Music on a scholarship. —Jennifer Frederick, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024

Jones attended Seattle University, studied music and played in the college band — Clint Eastwood also was a student at the time — but completed just one semester before transferring to Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship. —Jennifer Frederick, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

California State University, the nation’s largest public university system, will pilot test its first direct admissions program for high school seniors, effective for the fall 2025 semester. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

The new master's degree program would include three semesters of online classes and two semesters of clinical practice. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing semester

• semester hour

Kids Definition

semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər 

: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year