semifinal

1 of 2

adjective

semi·​fi·​nal ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
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 How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
ˈse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
1
: a semifinal match
2
: a semifinal round
semifinalist
ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-
-mi-
noun

Examples of semifinal 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.
Adjective
Stone Ridge Christian High School forfeited a semifinal playoff match to San Francisco Waldorf, which had a trans player on its girls volleyball and girls basketball team. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025 The veteran Gray helped lift her teammates in Tuesday night’s semifinal elimination game against the Indiana Fever, finishing with 17 points, six assists and five stocks (steals + blocks) despite a second-half injury scare. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The final brought together 11 contestants from the six regions that made up the initiative (eastern, central, and western United States; northern, central, and southern Mexico), who were chosen by a jury during the weekly semifinals held from August 17 to September 21. Natalia Cano, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025 Vegas is heading back to the finals after going back-to-back in 2022 & 2023 but falling to the eventual champion Liberty in the semifinals last fall. Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for semifinal

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semifinal was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Semifinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semifinal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

semifinal

1 of 2 adjective
semi·​fi·​nal ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
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 How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
: a semifinal match or game
semifinalist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on semifinal

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