semifinal

American  

[sem-ee-fahyn-l, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈfaɪn l, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the round preceding the final one in a tournament from which losers are eliminated.

2. (in boxing) of or relating to the second most important bout on a card, usually immediately preceding the main bout.

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noun

semifinals plural

1. a semifinal contest or round.

2. (in boxing) the second most important bout on a card.

semifinal British  

/ ˌsɛmɪˈfaɪnəl /

noun

1. 1. the round before the final in a competition

   2. ( as modifier )

      the semifinal draw

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• semifinals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of semifinal

First recorded in 1880–85; semi- + final

Explanation

In sports, a semifinal is the next-to the last game (or series of games) in a big tournament. In a semifinal, four teams or players compete against each other for a spot in the final round. Professional sports like hockey, soccer, and basketball — as well as competitive activities including poker and debate — have a series of elimination rounds before a winner is declared. The very last of those playoff games is the semifinal, a word that was coined in the 1860s from the Latin semi, "half," and final, whose Latin root means "end." The round before the semifinal, in which eight teams play, is called a quarterfinal.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

semifinal semifinals

Spain’s formidable defense helped it smother a France team that looked invincible before wilting during a 2-0 World Cup semifinal loss Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Two years ago, France had lost a semifinal at the Euros to the same opponents and vowed to retool.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Spain will play the winner of the semifinal match between England and Argentina.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

The buzz: This game would be far better suited as a final than a semifinal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

The semifinal match did not start out well.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Free agent additions Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton will fill immediately roles after the Lakers lost six rotation players from last season’s team that went to the Western Conference semifinals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

In two more tournaments as a player, he never got past the quarterfinals and in two World Cups as a manager he made the semifinals once.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

The Three Lions have banged in 13 goals on their march to the semifinals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinals in Arlington, Texas, to advance to the final.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

I made it all the way to the semifinals, which meant I was going home with a medal.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad