seminar

noun

sem·​i·​nar ˈse-mə-ˌnär 

1

: a group of advanced students studying under a professor with each doing original research and all exchanging results through reports and discussions

2

a(1)

: a course of study pursued by a seminar

(2)

: an advanced or graduate course often featuring informality and discussion

b

: a scheduled meeting of a seminar or a room for such meetings

3

: a meeting for giving and discussing information

Synonyms

• symposium
• conference
• panel

Examples of seminar in a Sentence

a seminar on career planning

a seminar bringing together the world's leading epidemiologists

Recent Examples on the Web

Pressed for time, Elliott handed over his introductory seminar to his teaching assistant: a young Kissinger, whose reverence for Germanic philosophers Brzezinski found off-putting. —Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

The seminar, which is held annually for judges interested in this conservative legal theory, was hosted by the Georgetown Center for the Constitution. —Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Examples include wine blending seminars, picking grapes, and creating wine labels. —Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Music + Arts Global is a three-day seminar that includes classes and discussions on gospel music, held this past May in Stockholm. —Jim Asker, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German, from Latin seminarium nursery

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seminar

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar

Kids Definition

seminar

noun

sem·​i·​nar ˈsem-ə-ˌnär 

1

: a course of study followed by a group of advanced students

2

: a meeting of a seminar or a room for such meetings

3

: a meeting for giving and discussing information

a sales seminar