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

Half participated in a group watching session, where six participants at a time watched video health messages while sitting in a room in a semicircle. —Paul McClure 16, New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2025

This is a huge upgrade from the semicircle, akin to moving from a love seat to a sectional. —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2025

The cows, gathered in a semicircle, barely moved, all staring in the same direction. —Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025

The semicircles of pillars face a pool with a fountain, and 24 bronze bas-reliefs on the entrance balustrades illustrate scenes from the war years, at home and abroad. —Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin semicirculus, from semi- + circulus circle

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for semicircle

• encircle
• tubercle
• cercle
• circle
• preopercle

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