semifinal

[ sem-ee-fahyn-l, sem-ahy- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the round preceding the final one in a tournament from which losers are eliminated.
2. (in boxing) of or relating to the second most important bout on a card, usually immediately preceding the main bout.

noun

1. a semifinal contest or round.
2. (in boxing) the second most important bout on a card.

semifinal

/ ˌsɛmɪˈfaɪnəl /

noun

1. 1. the round before the final in a competition
   2. ( as modifier )

      the semifinal draw

Word History and Origins

Origin of semifinal¹

First recorded in 1880–85; semi- + final

Example Sentences

A look at this week’s top high school football semifinal playoff games:

From Los Angeles Times

And that leaves the Galaxy needing a win Sunday over Minnesota United to reach the MLS Cup semifinals for the first time since the middle of the second Obama administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Murrieta Valley has reached the semifinals of the Division 2 playoffs because its offense is rolling.

From Los Angeles Times

Ahead of the Season 33 semifinals, Green and two of the show’s professional dancers, Rylee Arnold, 19, and Witney Carson, 31, explained their parts in making “Dancing With the Stars” a hit with Gen Z.

From New York Times

Prior to that, he competed on “American Idol” in 2007 and made it to the semifinals of the Fox singing competition.

From Los Angeles Times