semicircle

noun

semi·​cir·​cle ˈse-mē-ˌsər-kəl 

ˈse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

1

: a half of a circle

2

: an object or arrangement of objects in the form of a half circle

semicircular

ˌse-mē-ˈsər-kyə-lər 

ˌse-ˌmī-

-mi-

adjective

Examples of semicircle in a Sentence

The children sat in a semicircle.

The houses are built in a semicircle.

Recent Examples on the Web

The two bone-conduction modules are connected by a flexible semicircle that can bend outward to fit your head, but beyond that there aren't any adjustable pieces to the design. —Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 30 Jan. 2022

Around 100 Latinos, some who were flown from key battleground states like Wisconsin and Arizona, sat in a semicircle in stadium-style seating for the town hall. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

About 30 children were sitting in a semicircle around a tree, said Alec Egan, the birthday girl’s father. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024

One striking photograph, discovered in a family album, shows a group of German soldiers sitting in a semicircle, playing cards in the buff. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin semicirculus, from semi- + circulus circle

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

semicircle

noun

semi·​cir·​cle ˈsem-i-ˌsər-kəl 

1

: half of a circle

2

: an object or arrangement of objects in the form of a half circle

semicircular

ˌsem-i-ˈsər-kyə-lər 

adjective