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

After the 39-year-old basketball star helped lead Team USA to a hair-raising comeback from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter of the semifinal game against Serbia, James explained why this Olympic Games means so much to him in the later part of his career. —Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024

That allows Brazil to take the lead in the first six minutes of the semifinal match. —Gadi Schwartz, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024

Noun

Between qualifying for the Copa Libertadores semifinals and winning the Superclásico River Plate have scored an A+ in a challenging week of tests. —Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Thomas and the Sun will face the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis on Sunday for Game 1 of the WNBA playoff semifinals. —Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 26 Sep. 2024

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