semifinal

[sem-ee-fahyn-l, sem-ahy-]

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.

noun

1. a semifinal contest or round.

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

semifinal

/ ˌsɛmɪˈfaɪnəl /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      the semifinal draw

Word History and Origins

Origin of semifinal¹

First recorded in 1880–85; semi- + final

Example Sentences

The U.S. has only ever made the semifinals once — at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 — and has never made the final.

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Her ever-present smile and the sparkle in her eyes were trademarks as she cheered on an unheralded underdog team that notched upset after upset before falling in the semifinals.

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He turns 18 later this year, making him ineligible for the U18 world record, but he did reach the 100-meter semifinals of this week’s U.S. championships.

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Even one of the most thrilling games in the club’s recent memory, a 3-3 draw in the Champions League semifinal against Inter, had to unfold at Barça’s home away from home.

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Tens of millions saw his talent in full force when he posted 163 yards and a score in a semifinal upset over Michigan.

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