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.
My preseason ranking was based on his exciting raw traits, while his final ranking highlighted the concerns about his injury history. Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 May 2026 Ionescu missed New York's first five games after suffering a foot injury in a preseason game against Connecticut. CBS News, 24 May 2026 Achane nursing an undisclosed injury and ideally being shelved until the regular season, the Dolphins must find four tailbacks who can handle the workload for training camp and the preseason. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026 This year’s schedule is the first time since 2023 that the Broncos have had a preseason game on a Friday, however, and the first time in Payton’s tenure that each game has landed on that day. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 May 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 29 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster