Semifinal: meaning, definitions and examples

Sports

• In tournaments, the semifinal is the round before the final, and it determines which teams or players get to compete for the championship.
• Many popular sports, like football and basketball, use semifinals to narrow down the teams to the best two.

Education

• In academic settings, 'semifinal' can refer to assessments that take place before the final exams, helping students gauge their understanding.
• Some colleges hold semifinal presentations where students showcase projects before the final evaluations.

Etymology

• The word 'semifinal' comes from the Latin 'semi-' meaning half and 'finalis' meaning final.
• The term has been in use since the late 19th century, commonly in sports contexts.

Literature

• In competitions related to literature, like poetry slams or writing contests, a semifinal round often decides which works advance to the final showcase.
• Some literary awards have semifinal rounds where authors compete before the final judging.

Entertainment

• Reality TV shows often have semifinal episodes where contestants are narrowed down before the finale.
• Talent competitions like 'America's Got Talent' also feature semifinals, showcasing the best acts before the final showdown.