51Թ

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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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Derived Forms

  • ˈٰ, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·t ··ٰ· [si-, mes, -tree-, uh, l], adjective
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51Թ 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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51Թ 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.

He said he chose Durham because he could do a full academic year, rather than one semester, but also because of the college system.

From

But he talked with The Times in a September interview about his five years in Los Angeles as a struggling actor following a semester in law school.

From

He admits to being a “community college student, second semester freshman year” when it came to knowing about his new beat.

From

Two weeks after the fire first roared, with the school closed indefinitely and classes shifted to Zoom, the Tideline staff met for its first planning meeting of the new semester.

From

Pali High students began their spring semester online on Jan. 23.

From

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More About Semester

What 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.

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What are some other forms related to semester?

  • semestral (adjective)
  • semestrial (adjective)

What are some synonyms for semester?

What are some words that share a root or word element with semester?

What 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.

Try usingsemester!

True or False?

If an academic year is divided into semesters, there are always two.

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