preseason

noun

pre·​sea·​son ˌprē-ˈsē-zᵊn How to pronounce preseason (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In its third meeting with Winter Park — counting a preseason match — Orangewood dominated in a 25-16, 25-14, 25-19 win to finish 3-0 in pool play. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 Why yes, Bell realized — even in preseason games, NFL contact can be particularly violent. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026 That group includes preseason AP All-America forward David Mirkovic. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 The February trip to Los Angeles the Gophers swept two years ago will be tougher this time with both USC (21st) and UCLA (22nd) in the preseason Associated Press poll. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preseason

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preseason was in 1914

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preseason.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preseason. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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