semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər How to pronounce semester (audio)
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 adjective
or semestrial

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The program is structured so that students only have to come to campus eight times per semester, with the balance of their coursework available through remote learning. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025 This was early September, during Miller’s second class of the semester teaching a songwriting course at the New School in New York’s Greenwich Village. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025 Elon has 879 graduate students this semester, according to Elon News Network. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025 The family’s gift will cover a semester of tuition for each student in the class of 2026. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for semester

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of semester was in 1827

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Cite this Entry

“Semester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semester. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

semester

noun
se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər How to pronounce semester (audio)
: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year

More from Merriam-Webster on semester

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