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
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
In fairness, those might be fair critiques for a handful, if not majority, of the semifinal games over the last three years.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Ohio State has won three of its previous four appearances, including a CFP semifinal en route to its 2024 national championship.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
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Adjective
The semifinal and final matches against Serbia and France came down to the wire.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
In fairness, those might be fair critiques for a handful, if not majority, of the semifinal games over the last three years.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
Oregon won a playoff game for the first time since 2014, when the Ducks beat Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinal before losing to Ohio State.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Ohio State has won three of its previous four appearances, including a CFP semifinal en route to its 2024 national championship.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 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 26 Dec. 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
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