preseason

[ pree-see-zuhn ]

/ ˈpriˌsi zən /

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noun

a period before the season, especially the period of time in organized sports when athletes train and practice for the regular season: 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: 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.

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Origin of preseason

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; pre- + season

Words nearby preseason

prescriptive, prescriptive grammar, prescriptivism, prescriptivist, prescutum, preseason, preselect, preselector, presell, presence, presence chamber

How to use preseason in a sentence

Since there were no fans in the arena, no one noticed — through 13 preseason and regular season games.
Mark Cuban had the right idea: It’s time to rethink how we use the national anthem|John Feinstein|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Last year, teams’ offseason programs for players were conducted entirely virtually, with no on-field practices, and the preseason was eliminated entirely.
Roger Goodell says hiring cycle did not meet NFL’s expectations after diversity measures|Mark Maske|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Marcus Zegarowski, the Big East’s preseason player of the year, was held to 14 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
Georgetown’s seniors lead the way in a statement victory over Creighton|Kareem Copeland|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
Before a preseason game that year, McKinney and fellow linebacker Zach Cunningham, 26, arrived at NRG Stadium wearing “Dragon Ball Z” T-shirts.
A love for ‘Dragon Ball Z’ has infiltrated NFL locker rooms|Kyle Melnick|February 3, 2021|Washington Post

Her coach, Edward Homer, said “without a doubt” she would have been the starting slot receiver as a senior on his team last fall — and a captain, an announcement that received loud cheers from teammates when Homer made it after a preseason workout.
She’s aiming to play Division III football this fall — at defensive back|Leonard Shapiro|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
He played well enough [during the preseason] for a team with a need on the defensive line to consider that.
Michael Sam, the First Openly Gay NFL Draftee, Has Earned the Right to Play Ball|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the Kings and the Lakers met in the 2003 preseason, the drama picked up right where it left off.
Did NBA Referees Snatch Destiny From The Sacramento Kings?|Matt Gallagher|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He is as heartfelt and genuine at these gatherings as he is at the Friday preseason workouts.
Frank Hall, Coach Who Chased the Chardon High School Gunman, Is a Hero|Michael Daly|February 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Plimpton was the writer who was briefly allowed to play quarterback in a Detroit Lions preseason game a half-century ago.
My All-Too-Brief Acting Career|Howard Kurtz|July 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for preseason

preseason

/ (ˈpriːˌsiːzən) /

noun

the period immediately before the official season for a particular sport begins
(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