semifinal

1 of 2

adjective

semi·​fi·​nal ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl 

ˌse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

1

: being next to the last in an elimination tournament

2

: of or participating in a semifinal

semifinal

2 of 2

noun

semi·​fi·​nal ˈse-mē-ˌfī-nᵊl 

ˈse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

1

: a semifinal match

2

: a semifinal round

semifinalist

ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist 

ˌse-ˌmī-

-mi-

noun

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The week also featured a pair of high-profile NCAA football semifinal playoff games. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025

In 2022, the two semifinal scores were TCU 51, Michigan 45 and Georgia 42, Ohio State 41. —Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

Minutes after Notre Dame beat Georgia to clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Penn State earlier this month, Tremaine Jackson’s phone buzzed. —David Ubben, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Three of these little guys have returned to the conference’s semifinals after getting there last year — the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

semifinal

1 of 2 adjective

semi·​fi·​nal ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl 

1

: coming before the final round in a tournament

2

: of or taking part in a semifinal

semifinal

2 of 2 noun

semi·​fi·​nal ˈsem-i-ˌfīn-ᵊl 

: a semifinal match or game

semifinalist

ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst 

noun