preseason

[ pree-see-zuhn ]

noun

1. 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

1. 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)

1. 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

/ ˈpriːˌsiːzən /

noun

1. 1. the period immediately before the official season for a particular sport begins
   2. ( as modifier )

      a series of preseason friendly matches

Word History and Origins

Origin of preseason¹

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

Example Sentences

Since there were no fans in the arena, no one noticed — through 13 preseason and regular season games.

From Washington Post

Last year, teams’ offseason programs for players were conducted entirely virtually, with no on-field practices, and the preseason was eliminated entirely.

From Washington Post

Marcus Zegarowski, the Big East’s preseason player of the year, was held to 14 points on 4-for-11 shooting.

From 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.

From 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.

From Washington Post

He played well enough [during the preseason] for a team with a need on the defensive line to consider that.

From The Daily Beast

When the Kings and the Lakers met in the 2003 preseason, the drama picked up right where it left off.

From The Daily Beast

He is as heartfelt and genuine at these gatherings as he is at the Friday preseason workouts.

From The Daily Beast

Plimpton was the writer who was briefly allowed to play quarterback in a Detroit Lions preseason game a half-century ago.

From The Daily Beast