semiannual
Americanadjective
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Also occurring, done, or published every half year or twice a year; biannual.
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lasting for half a year.
a semiannual plant.
adjective
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occurring every half-year
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lasting for half a year
Usage
What does semiannual mean? Semiannual means twice a year (or, technically, once every half a year). The word semiyearly means the same thing as semiannual. The words biannual and biyearly can be synonyms of semiannual, but they can also mean once every two years (every other year). Although semiannual is only used to mean twice a year—not every two years—it can still be confusing. The best (and maybe only) way to be perfectly clear is to just say “twice a year.”It’s especially used to describe events, as in semiannual sale—a sale that happens twice a year. Less commonly, semiannual can also mean lasting for half a year, as in To participate in the semiannual internship, you must be available for the full six months. The adverb form of semiannual is semiannually. Examples: The dentist recommends a checkup every six months, so I guess I have to make my semiannual appointment.
Commonly Confused
See bi- 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of semiannual
Compare meaning
How does semiannual compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Assuming nothing changes, companies’ first chance to switch to semiannual reporting will come the next time they file an annual report.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
Also speaking Monday was another Trump administration official, Paul Atkins, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is proposing allowing public companies to make semiannual, instead of quarterly, reports.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
Assuming nothing changes, companies’ first chance to switch to semiannual reporting will come the next time they file an annual report.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
U.S. securities regulators are proposing to end quarterly earnings reporting in favor of semiannual reports.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026
The Lost-N-Found Gazette.Ryan’s semiannual collection of items found lying around campus.
From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
