pregame

American  

[pree-geym] / ˈpriˌgeɪm /

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of pregame

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

Example Sentences

In an indication this might not be a crisis after all, neither Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Giants manager Tony Vitello was asked about it during their respective pregame interview sessions Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

I figured Auriemma would clean up the mess in his postgame press conference, but instead he calmly leaned in to it, offering the pregame handshake delay as his explanation-slash-justification.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Auriemma confronted Staley over a perceived pregame handshake slight and also criticized officials for foul calls during the game.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

They arrived silently at the end of the pregame ceremony, carefully held by two of the men who helped win them, lifted high for all those who so passionately longed for them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The game announcer has started the official pregame ritual, reading off something about good sportsmanship and honorable gameplay.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu