preseason

noun

pre·​sea·​son ˌprē-ˈsē-zᵊn 

ˈprē-ˌsē-zᵊn

plural preseasons

: a period of time immediately preceding a season

tourists who visit during the preseason

especially : a training period preceding a sport's regular season in which teams compete in unofficial games

The preseason starts in two weeks.

performed well in (the) preseason

Quarterback John Friesz was lost for the year in the preseason to knee surgery.

—Paul Zimmerman

Dennis Rodman's mysterious boycott finally ended on Monday when he arrived for practice for the first time since the start of preseason.

—Jack McCallum

preseason adjective

preseason football

preseason training

the preseason opener/finale

preseason rankings/polls

the preseason favorite

Examples of preseason in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But during a preseason training session at Galen Center, James collapsed after a cardiac arrest and subsequently required surgery to treat a congenital heart defect. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

Here’s how process works Sharks trade forward drafted in first round to Predators San Jose Sharks announce schedule for interesting preseason Goodrow was dealt to the Lightning at the 2020 trade deadline for a first-round draft pick used on forward Ozzy Wiesblatt. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 June 2024

Here’s the Star-Telegram’s preseason quarterback power rankings: 1. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2024

Each practice session will lead into Miami’s exhibition game against each of those preseason opponents. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above