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

Carnegie Mellon University, a private research university in Pittsburgh with a large portion of international students, is planning a town hall for the fall semester to answer questions from the campus community about the change. — Janet W. Lee, NPR, 20 July 2026

As a school counselor, my mom needs a spacious, durable bag that will last beyond the fall semester. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 19 July 2026

Average tuition for Thoreau College’s semester-long program is about $8,500, with additional fees if students wish to obtain college credit through a new partnership between Thoreau and Prescott College, a private, experiential college in Arizona. — Kerry McDonald, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

For example, students at the New Media Academy complete a presentation at the end of each semester in which industry professionals serve as judges. — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

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