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.
The Dean’s List is the highest academic recognition given at the end of each semester. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025 The Faculty Senate will vote on how colleges will be combined by the end of the semester. Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025 No students are taking courses at the campus in the spring semester, but about 40 students participate in activities there. Krissy Waite, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 Interns must be a high school graduate, completed their first year of college or more by the end of the 2025 spring semester and be currently enrolled in college or recently graduated. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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