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
Examples of semifinal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The American leads their head-to-head series 6–3, carrying confidence from a recent Wimbledon semifinal victory over Sabalenka.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
This comes after the team reached the Division 5 semifinals in the 2024 season.
—Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semifinal
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Adjective
When environmental activists disrupted a US Open semifinal match in 2023, forcing a long delay in play, ESPN did show some live pictures of the protesters.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The American leads their head-to-head series 6–3, carrying confidence from a recent Wimbledon semifinal victory over Sabalenka.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Sinner and Alcaraz’s nominally closest rival is Djokovic, who reached the semifinals of all four majors this year, and did at least post that one victory against Alcaraz.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
This comes after the team reached the Division 5 semifinals in the 2024 season.
—Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semifinal
Cite this Entry
“Semifinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semifinal. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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