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View synonyms for

semester

[si-mes-ter]

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.



semester

/ ɪˈɛə /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • semestral adjective
  • semestrial adjective
  • ˈٰ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of semester1

1820–30; < German < Latin ŧŧ ( n ) stris of six months duration < *-ŧԲٰ, equivalent to sex six + ŧԲ ( is ) month + -tris adj. suffix (perhaps representing an earlier *mens ( i ) -teros )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of semester1

C19: via German from Latin ŧٰ half-yearly, from sex six + mensis a month
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Joshua Alferos was two semesters away from a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering when he ran out of money.

From

We follow her through her tumultuous final semester of high school.

From

I left my first semester of ceramics class with a handful of bowls, a mini mug and a flower vase.

From

"As of right now, I’m not sure if I can attend the next semester or not."

From

A year later, at the suggestion of a girlfriend, she took a semester off from school, headed for Yosemite and never looked back.

From

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When To Use

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.

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