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

Pali High, an independent charter school, will not open for the spring semester on Jan. 13, as previously scheduled. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025

Valued at $275,000, the scholarship is in partnership with Berklee College of Music, and will cover a bachelor’s degree and room and board at the college for its 2025 fall semester, as well as wrap-around services and ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 11 Jan. 2025

The show was part of the university’s welcome-back activities for students returning for the spring semester. —Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025

However, the spring semester job at Chuck E. Cheese was a breeze — with one exception. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025

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