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

That same year, YouTube TV went down in the middle of the World Cup semifinal match between England and Croatia.

From Quartz

The league halted its sixth season a day before its semifinal games were set to be played and a week after the first of its six teams withdrew from competition because of positive cases.

From Washington Post

One writer expects the Capitals to make it as far as the Stanley Cup semifinals.

From Washington Post

Since then, Ohio State has lost twice in the CFP semifinals, both times to Clemson, while Alabama has made a championship-game appearance in four of the past five years, twice losing to Clemson and twice winning it all.

From Washington Post

It will be the first time the two schools have clashed since the 2015 Sugar Bowl, when the Buckeyes defeated the Crimson Tide, 42-35, in an upset in the inaugural College Football Playoff semifinals en route to a national championship.

From Washington Post

In her semifinal match, he joked “Now you can get to lie down for a while” in the post-game chat.

From The Daily Beast

Take the semifinal for what it was: a battle to the bitter end between two proud football nations.

From The Daily Beast

Without him, and Tiago Silva, Brazil will go into its semifinal against Germany severely weakened.

From The Daily Beast

Federer did show signs of tennis life two weeks ago in Cincinnati, taking Rafael Nadal to three sets in a competitive semifinal.

From The Daily Beast

She reached the final four of the 2000 Australian Open, her first Grand Slam semifinal in nine years.

From The Daily Beast