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

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

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

Rhymes for semester

• ancestor
• arrester
• digester
• investor
• protester
• requester
• sequester
• silvester
• trimester
• ester
• esther
• fester

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