pregame

[pree-geym]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or happening in the period just before a sports game.

   The coach was interviewed in a pregame broadcast.

2. noting or relating to the consumption of liquor before attending a party or other event.

   pregame drinking.

noun

1. an event or broadcast relating to and occurring just before a sports game.

   Thirty people attended the pregame.

verb (used with or without object)

pregamed, pregaming 

1. to drink liquor before going to (a party, game, or other event).

   We pregamed at my house to save some money.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pregame¹

First recorded in 1910–15; pre- + game ¹

Example Sentences

On the other side of the stadium, on the sprawling Brookside Golf Course, Nicholaus Iamaleava was prepping his pregame tailgate below four tents alongside his brother Matt, the siblings expecting about 60 family members to indulge in a potluck spread of burgers, hot dogs, wings, fries, hot links, sushi and fried rice.

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Since 2021, Smith also has been an analyst on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” pregame and halftime studio show.

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LeBron James onto the court for his pregame warmup.

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Those students’ mood momentarily brightened when they were given tie-dye T-shirts as a tribute to the late Bill Walton, who was honored in a pregame video.

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For not hitting any half-court shots during his pregame warmup, Doncic had to drop to the court and give his coaching staff push-ups.

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