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
sə-ˈme-strəl How to pronounce semester (audio)
adjective
or semestrial
sə-ˈme-strē-əl How to pronounce semester (audio)

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 project tested its model in the spring semester of 2025 on four college sophomores from other schools, which gave them academic credit for coming to the Greenway campus and doing hands-on work with faculty supervisors in a prototype semester. — Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Skeptics worry some students will use up their lifetime 12-semester Pell benefits in short-term programs, rather than pursuing a bachelor’s degree, with potentially higher earnings prospects. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 But the five mathematicians wanted results by the end of the semester. — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 Ramanathan is part of a still small but growing group of Americans looking beyond the traditional semester abroad to earning an entire bachelor’s degree overseas. — Lisa Chambers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing semester

Rhymes for semester

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Browse Nearby Words

Semeostoma
semester
semester hour
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Cite this Entry

“Semester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semester. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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