preseason

American

[pree-see-zuhn] / ˈpriˌsi zən /

noun

a period before the season, especially the period of time in organized sports when athletes train and practice for the regular season: Deer hunters set aside time in the preseason to repair and maintain their stands, set trail cameras, and clear branches or brush from shooting lanes.

As a professional athlete, I just try not to get injured in the preseason.
Deer hunters set aside time in the preseason to repair and maintain their stands, set trail cameras, and clear branches or brush from shooting lanes.

adjective

of, relating to, or occurring in the preseason: The resort offers discounted preseason ski passes in November.

Some of the coaching staff was replaced after an embarrassing preseason loss to the weakest team in the league.
The resort offers discounted preseason ski passes in November.

verb (used with object)

to season (food) with condiments, spices, herbs, or the like before it is packaged or cooked.

Preseason the roast with a teaspoon of salt per pound of meat several hours before grilling it.

preseason British

/ ˈpriːˌsiːzən /

noun

1. the period immediately before the official season for a particular sport begins
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a series of preseason friendly matches

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of preseason

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; pre- ( def. ) + season ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both teams lost in the Open Division semifinals last winter and were the preseason favorites to play for the title this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the teams capable of dethroning Norco is Orange Lutheran, No. 2 behind the Cougars in Cal-Hi Sports’ preseason Southland top 20 rankings.

From Los Angeles Times

Here are the preseason softball rankings for the Southland from CalHISports.com.

From Los Angeles Times

The preseason scouting report on senior catcher Carson Sheffer of Oaks Christian was that he’s an elite defensive player with an electric arm.

From Los Angeles Times

They carried that momentum into the preseason this year, going 3-1-1 against MLS teams with two shutouts, 15 goals scored and seven allowed.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023