Semester: meaning, definitions and examples

📚

Add to dictionary

semester

[sɪˈmɛstər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

academic

A period of six months, typically used to refer to the duration of an academic course or program.

Synonyms

session, term, trimester.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
semester	Used in educational institutions to refer to a half-year term, typically lasting about 15-18 weeks. The fall semester starts in September. I have five classes this semester.
term	Commonly used to describe any academic period, especially in British English. Can refer to a semester, trimester, or quarter. The spring term ends in March. We have exams at the end of each term.
session	Usually refers to shorter periods of academic study, often several weeks long, like summer sessions or winter sessions, or a particular class meeting. I attended a summer session to catch up on credits. The afternoon session was cancelled.
trimester	Refers to a division of the academic year into three parts, each lasting about 10-12 weeks. Our school operates on a trimester system. I have exams at the end of each trimester.

Examples of usage

The fall semester begins in September and ends in December.
We have exams at the end of each semester.
She completed her semester abroad in Spain.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

financial

A period of six months used for financial reporting or budgeting purposes.

Synonyms

accounting period, financial period.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
semester	Mainly used in educational institutions to divide the academic year. Typically, it refers to half of the academic year, usually around 15-18 weeks. I have five courses this semester. The fall semester is starting next week.
financial period	Similar to 'accounting period,' this term is used in finance and business to define a set time frame for financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis. It can also range from a month to a year. The financial period for the fourth quarter has just concluded. Budget planning for the next financial period is underway.
accounting period	Used in financial and business contexts to refer to a span of time over which financial statements are prepared and evaluated. It can be a month, a quarter, or a year. The company’s annual accounting period ends on December 31. We need to finalize the accounts for the first accounting period of this year.

Word

Description / Examples

semester

Mainly used in educational institutions to divide the academic year. Typically, it refers to half of the academic year, usually around 15-18 weeks.

I have five courses this semester.
The fall semester is starting next week.

financial period

Similar to 'accounting period,' this term is used in finance and business to define a set time frame for financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis. It can also range from a month to a year.

The financial period for the fourth quarter has just concluded.
Budget planning for the next financial period is underway.

accounting period

Used in financial and business contexts to refer to a span of time over which financial statements are prepared and evaluated. It can be a month, a quarter, or a year.

The company’s annual accounting period ends on December 31.
We need to finalize the accounts for the first accounting period of this year.

Examples of usage

The company's revenue has increased compared to the previous semester.
We need to prepare the financial statements for the first semester.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

general

A period of time in a school or college year that is typically divided into two equal parts.

Synonyms

session, term.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
semester	A time period in an academic calendar, usually lasting about 15-18 weeks, commonly used in higher education institutions like colleges and universities. This semester, I'm taking five courses in computer science. The fall semester starts in September.
term	A duration of time in an academic calendar, typically used in primary and secondary education. It can also refer to periods within a year in some universities. The spring term will begin in March. Students receive their grades at the end of each term.
session	Generally refers to a specific period or meeting within a larger timeframe, can be a class session, exam session, or a meeting. Not limited to academic context; also used in business and therapy. The exam sessions are scheduled for next week. We have a study session every Friday.

Word

Description / Examples

semester

A time period in an academic calendar, usually lasting about 15-18 weeks, commonly used in higher education institutions like colleges and universities.

This semester, I'm taking five courses in computer science.
The fall semester starts in September.

term

A duration of time in an academic calendar, typically used in primary and secondary education. It can also refer to periods within a year in some universities.

The spring term will begin in March.
Students receive their grades at the end of each term.

session

Generally refers to a specific period or meeting within a larger timeframe, can be a class session, exam session, or a meeting. Not limited to academic context; also used in business and therapy.

The exam sessions are scheduled for next week.
We have a study session every Friday.

Examples of usage

The students have different classes in each semester.
The semester break is a time for students to relax and recharge.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'semestris', meaning 'of six months'.
In the 19th century, the term began to be used in universities to describe academic periods.

Educational Structure

Many universities and colleges operate on a semester system, dividing the academic year into two main semesters: fall and spring.
Some institutions also have a summer semester, allowing students to take extra classes or catch up.
Semesters often include breaks and exams, which help students manage their learning and rest.

Cultural Insights

In some countries, like Germany and Sweden, the academic year is divided into two semesters, but starts at different times.
The semester system has influenced how students plan their studies, internships, and even vacations.

Pop Culture

The word is often referenced in movies and TV shows set in schools or colleges, portraying student life experiences.
Several music albums and songs reflect the pressure and excitement associated with a new semester.

Psychology of Learning

Research shows that students perform better when they have clear breaks and defined periods of study like semesters.
The semester concept helps in structuring knowledge retention, as concepts are revisited and built upon in a planned way.

Translations

Translations of the word "semester" in other languages:

🇵🇹 semestre

🇮🇳 सेमेस्टर

🇩🇪 Semester

🇮🇩 semester

🇺🇦 семестр

🇵🇱 semestr

🇯🇵 学期

🇫🇷 semestre

🇪🇸 semestre

🇹🇷 dönem

🇰🇷 학기

🇸🇦 فصل دراسي

🇨🇿 semestr

🇸🇰 semester

🇨🇳 学期

🇸🇮 semester

🇮🇸 önn

🇰🇿 семестр

🇬🇪 სემესტრი

🇦🇿 semest

🇲🇽 semestre

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,700 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6697 overlap
6698 hut
6699 blocked
6700 semester
6701 occasioned
6702 deserted
6703 forum
...