semester
noun
se·mes·ter sə-ˈme-stər 
1
: either of the two usually 18-week periods of instruction into which an academic year is often divided
2
: a period of six months
semestral
sə-ˈme-strəl
adjective or semestrial
sə-ˈme-strē-əl
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web There will be over 30 cohorts with more than 120 nursing students this semester. 
Jason Fontelieu, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 Rand was born with a congenital heart defect and is preparing for a surgery to address problems with her mitral valve; her doctors have warned her that getting sick this semester could land her in the hospital. Alexander Thompson, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Derrick said Braxton will transfer out of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools after this fall semester is up. Morgan Matzen, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Ewaliko is not enrolled at SDSU this semester, according to Carlos. Stella Chan, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 Trying to secure a fashion internship this upcoming semester? Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 26 Aug. 2022 Fashion merchandising major Asha Gorjala plans on creating countless outfits around an exercise dress and a matching skirt set this semester. Jake Smith, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2022 The program begins this fall semester and is for full-time students. Deidre Montague, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2022 Back-to-school season has arrived and Coach has new styles for those who want to look their best this semester. Josie Howell | Jhowell@al.com, al, 8 Aug. 2022 See More
Jason Fontelieu, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 Rand was born with a congenital heart defect and is preparing for a surgery to address problems with her mitral valve; her doctors have warned her that getting sick this semester could land her in the hospital. Alexander Thompson, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Derrick said Braxton will transfer out of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools after this fall semester is up. Morgan Matzen, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Ewaliko is not enrolled at SDSU this semester, according to Carlos. Stella Chan, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 Trying to secure a fashion internship this upcoming semester? Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 26 Aug. 2022 Fashion merchandising major Asha Gorjala plans on creating countless outfits around an exercise dress and a matching skirt set this semester. Jake Smith, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2022 The program begins this fall semester and is for full-time students. Deidre Montague, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2022 Back-to-school season has arrived and Coach has new styles for those who want to look their best this semester. Josie Howell | Jhowell@al.com, al, 8 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
German, from Latin semestris half-yearly, from sex six + mensis month — more at six, moon
First Known Use
1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing semester
Kids Definition
semester
noun
se·mes·ter sə-ˈme-stər
: either of two terms that make up a school year