semi·fi·nal
ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl 
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
1
: being next to the last in an elimination tournament
2
: of or participating in a semifinal
Examples of semifinal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Tim Duncan has 37 points and 16 rebounds, and Tony Parker adds 27 points to help the San Antonio Spurs overpower the Lakers 110-82 to win the Western Conference semifinal series 4-2.
2004 — With one breathtaking surge, Smarty Jones posts a record 11½-length victory in the Preakness.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Despite finding themselves down by seven with 2:35 left, New York ended the game on a 11-1 run to secure the victory and clinch the series 4-2 to move onto the Eastern Conference semifinals.
—Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for semifinal
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
Indiana will next face off against the winner of the New York Knicks-Boston Celtics semifinal series, which New York currently leads 3-2 after a surprise 127-102 Boston home blowout on Wednesday night.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Tim Duncan has 37 points and 16 rebounds, and Tony Parker adds 27 points to help the San Antonio Spurs overpower the Lakers 110-82 to win the Western Conference semifinal series 4-2.
2004 — With one breathtaking surge, Smarty Jones posts a record 11½-length victory in the Preakness.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
But now this is their chance to knock off the varsity in their conference, in these conference semifinals.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Despite finding themselves down by seven with 2:35 left, New York ended the game on a 11-1 run to secure the victory and clinch the series 4-2 to move onto the Eastern Conference semifinals.
—Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for semifinal
Cite this Entry
“Semifinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semifinal. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
semifinal
1 of 2 adjective
semi·fi·nal
ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl
1
: coming before the final round in a tournament
2
: of or taking part in a semifinal
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share