semester

[si-mes-ter]

noun

1. (in many educational institutions) a division constituting half of the regular academic year, lasting typically from 15 to 18 weeks.

2. (in German universities) a session, lasting about six months and including periods of recess.

semester

/ sɪˈmɛstə /

noun

1. (in some universities) either of two divisions of the academic year, ranging from 15 to 18 weeks

2. (in German universities) a session of six months

Other Word Forms

• semestral adjective
• semestrial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of semester¹

1820–30; < German < Latin sēmē ( n ) stris of six months duration < *sex-mēnstris, equivalent to sex six + mēns ( is ) month + -tris adj. suffix (perhaps representing an earlier *mens ( i ) -teros )

Word History and Origins

Origin of semester¹

C19: via German from Latin sēmestris half-yearly, from sex six + mensis a month

Example Sentences

Stein attended UC Berkeley, majoring in political science, but he left about a semester shy of graduating.

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Near the end of his first semester, Toner-Rodgers told some friends he had stumbled on an interesting lead.

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Summers, a former Harvard president, isn’t scheduled to teach any courses next semester, a spokesperson for the economist said Wednesday night.

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Penelope had taken three semesters of art appreciation at the Swanburne Academy, so she had no doubt whatsoever.

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I was walking across campus during the first semester of my sophomore year when I saw him approaching on the walk.

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When To Use

What does semester mean?

A semester is one half of an academic year.If an academic year is divided into semesters, it means it is divided into two semesters. (If the year is divided into thirds, each part is called a trimester.)Semesters are typically used in high schools and universities. In many universities, a semester lasts 15 to 18 weeks. In German universities, a semester can last up to six months.Example: I’m thinking about taking a break from school for a semester to work and save some money.