semifinal

1 of 2

adjective

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

semifinal

2 of 2

noun

semi·​fi·​nal ˈse-mē-ˌfī-nᵊl 

ˈse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

1

: a semifinal match

2

: a semifinal round

semifinalist

ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist 

ˌse-ˌmī-

-mi-

noun

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Rice scored 33 points in the semifinal game, the first in Dana Hills’ history. —Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 6 June 2024

In total, Brock has eight state tournament appearances with three state semifinal wins. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2024

Noun

Couple that with the team’s exit from last summer’s World Cup in the round of 16 — the only time the U.S. has failed to make the tournament semifinals — and the U.S. has dropped to fourth in the FIFA world rankings for the first time. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024

The Zebras made the state semifinal in 2023 and followed it up with a Class 3A state championship appearance to cap off the most successful softball season in the school’s history. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

semifinal

2 of 2 noun

semi·​fi·​nal ˈsem-i-ˌfīn-ᵊl 

: a semifinal match or game

semifinalist

ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst 

noun