Semester Meaning in English

word

US

/səˈmɛstɝ/

suh-MES-dur

UK

/səmˈɛstɐ/

suh-MES-tuh

Definition

A semester is one of the two main periods of study in a school or university year. It usually lasts about half a year.

Usage & Nuances

Most common in school and university contexts. In American English, 'semester' is standard for a half-year system; some institutions use 'term', 'quarter', or 'trimester' instead. Common collocations: 'fall semester', 'spring semester', 'next semester', 'end of the semester'.

• Spanish: semestre
• Portuguese (BR): semestre
• Portuguese (PT): semestre
• Chinese (Simplified): 学期
• Chinese (Traditional): 學期
• Hindi: सेमेस्टर - अर्धवार्षिक सत्र
• Arabic: فصل دراسي
• Bengali: সেমিস্টার
• Russian: семестр
• Japanese: セメスター
• Vietnamese: học kỳ
• Korean: 학기
• Turkish: dönem (akademik) - yarıyıl
• Urdu: سمسٹر
• Indonesian: semester

Example Sentences

My semester starts in September.

basic

She has five classes this semester.

basic

The semester ends next week.

basic

I’m taking a lighter course load this semester so I can work part-time.

natural

This semester has been so busy that I barely have time to relax.

natural

By the end of the semester, everyone was counting down to the break.

natural