Advertisement
Advertisement
semester
[ si-mes-ter ]
noun
- (in many educational institutions) a division constituting half of the regular academic year, lasting typically from 15 to 18 weeks.
- (in German universities) a session, lasting about six months and including periods of recess.
semester
/ ɪˈɛə /
noun
- (in some universities) either of two divisions of the academic year, ranging from 15 to 18 weeks
- (in German universities) a session of six months
Derived Forms
- ˈٰ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ·t ··ٰ· [si-, mes, -tree-, uh, l], adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of semester1
Example Sentences
My hedonistic weeklong breaks from school were about resting up and devouring novels, my stack of fiction pushed aside through semesters of full class loads and at least one job.
And, of course, there will be a lot more transfers when the spring semester ends.
But my avoidance of the topic is the product of a selective process of its own, dating back to when I taught microbial evolution in early 2020, the semester when society froze.
We have all encountered the mildly irritating American friend who returns from a few weeks in Europe — maybe as much as an entire semester! — with a “global perspective.”
He said he chose Durham because he could do a full academic year, rather than one semester, but also because of the college system.
Advertisement
More About Semester
doessemester 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.
Where doessemester come from?
The first records of the word semester come from the 1800s. It comes from the Latin ŧٰ, meaning “half-yearly,” from sex, meaning “six,” and mensis, meaning “a month.”
In high school, many classes extend throughout both semesters, meaning students take that class throughout the entire academic year. But in college, new classes typically start each semester and end when the semester is over. Semesters typically run from August or September to December, and from January to May or June. When students take classes in the summer, it’s called the summer semester. Though many schools divide the academic year into semesters, others use a quarter or trimester system.
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms related to semester?
- semestral (adjective)
- semestrial (adjective)
are some synonyms for semester?
are some words that share a root or word element with semester?
are some words that often get used in discussing semester?
How issemester used in real life?
Semester is always used in the context of academic years—never for business schedules or other calendars.
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong
I can finish this semester strong— ♡Mother Soju♡ (@sojuboitellem)
CONGRATS TO EVERYONE who finished this semester, graduated from high school & college, & those who are graduating from graduate school!!! Pat yourself on the back 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Shakeera 🦋 (@SimplyyShak)
Finished my first semester of grad school! By this time next year I’ll have my masters! Only three more semesters and 9 classes left
— Kirsten Nicole (@Awkwardly_Soft)
Try usingsemester!
True or False?
If an academic year is divided into semesters, there are always two.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse