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

An Ohio State student spending the semester at Michigan? —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024

That spring semester was one of all of my important firsts. —Lauren Colella, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Winter break is often a well-deserved opportunity for high school students to relax and recharge after a tough first semester. —Kristen Moon, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Ryder, 18, is wrapping up his first semester at San Diego State University. —Ana Calderone, People.com, 26 Nov. 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