semester

American  

[si-mes-ter] / sɪˈmɛs tər /

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.

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semester British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• semestral adjective
• semestrial adjective

Etymology

Origin of semester

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 )

Example Sentences

This month Beijing proposed a ban on smartphones, computers and other screens for children up to 3 and required schools to conduct vision tests twice a semester.

From The Wall Street Journal

To select a discipline, students rotate through programs during an exploratory first semester.

From The Wall Street Journal

But as weeks of detention turned into months, Benjamin obsessed over the school semester, well underway.

From Los Angeles Times

Students left campus, cutting short the fall semester at the prestigious university, set atop a hill on the east side of the New England city of about 195,000.

From The Wall Street Journal

Like many ambitious high-school seniors in their fall semester, Leana Zhou has a lot on her plate: college applications, demanding classes and club activities.

From The Wall Street Journal