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

In the first half of the semester, the specific assignment was a factor in each paper due, and Andrew wrote nothing that covered, went into, or even mentioned the factor assigned. —John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

This semester, Figueroa introduced a new curriculum that allows senior students to work toward becoming certified trainers. —Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

Kevin McConnell, owner of Pals Chess and president of the Colorado State Chess Association, works with over 1,500 kids per semester across more than 70 schools in the Denver area. —Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026

While most private colleges charge a small fortune to audit their courses, the CUNY system has a senior audit rate of $65 (plus $15 service fee) per semester to any New York State resident over 60. —The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 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