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.
Grace Maxwell had been working on project this semester to create a hand-stabilizing device to help a boy in the area feed himself instead of rely on others, the university said in a statement. John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 About 11,000 undergraduates were enrolled for the fall 2024 semester. Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2025 School officials notified parents about the new bathroom during winter break and staff members stood outside the facility between classes once the semester resumed this month so that students would know about the changes before entering, Pribble said. Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025 Then the spring semester starts and the campus fills up again, with all the incumbent distractions. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near semester

Cite this Entry

“Semester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semester. Accessed 12 Feb. 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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