spring training

American  

noun

1. a program of physical exercise, practice, and exhibition games followed by a baseball team in the late winter and early spring, before the start of the regular season.

2. the period during which such a program takes place, usually from the beginning of March until the middle of April.

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Etymology

Origin of spring training

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The longer window likely means China’s military is “giving itself scheduling flexibility” for spring training, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Mangum reported to spring training and learned that he had shrunk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The Angels, with new manager Kurt Suzuki, have opened spring training in Arizona as Mike Trout and the rest of the team gets ready for the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

After such a lively event, can these players get fired up to go back to spring training, and then for the grind of a 162-game season?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

But just above his head there hung a baize-covered board containing a list or two of the parish ratepayers and the usual notice of the spring training of the Royal Cornwall Eangers Militia.

From The Delectable Duchy by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir