noun
semester
sih-MEHS-tuh
noun
1
Half of an academic year, typically lasting around six months.
"She's studying abroad for the spring semester."
"Grades are calculated at the end of each semester."
How to Use Semester
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the two main terms that make up a school or university year.
UK vs US
Common in US universities; UK institutions more often use "term" and divide the year into three parts rather than two.
Common pairings
fall semester
spring semester
semester abroad
Word Forms
semesters plural
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She's studying abroad for the spring _____.
Etymology
From German Semester, from Latin sēmestris, "lasting six months," combining sex ("six") and mensis ("month").