semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər How to pronounce semester (audio)
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 adjective
or semestrial

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The recommendations for women’s soccer, for now, prescribe a less drastic rollout in 2026-27, with the same fall-semester playing calendar leading to the women’s College Cup national title game in December. Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025 Expanding the curriculum Kim opened the second semester with a lecture on shifting global market dynamics, consumer behavior, production diversification, innovation strategy, traceability systems and the tightening environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulatory landscape. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025 The directive was implemented in the spring semester. Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025 The degrees can be completed in six semesters — students traditionally take 15 credits per semester — rather than the traditional eight. Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for semester

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of semester was in 1827

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Semester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semester. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

semester

noun
se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər How to pronounce semester (audio)
: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year

More from Merriam-Webster on semester

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