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

This online-only limitation is particularly stressful during intersession periods, the gaps between semesters every winter and summer. —Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026

For Cooper, one of the inspirations behind the semester-long initiative was to help her students grow their love for reading. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026

Kemp, 6-4, 220, who had seven sacks last season, said the transition to TFA this semester has gone smoothly. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026

The college's board of trustees approved the price hike, which raises the cost per credit hour from $159 to $174 beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, according to an announcement from the school Thursday. —Laura Fay, CBS News, 12 Mar. 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