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.
Not bad for a 26-year-old rookie who was nowhere to be found on any preseason prospect lists – except for that of his manager. Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers laughs with Luke Goedeke #67 prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Tampa, FL. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 Get too close to the smoke billowing out of the preseason hype machine, and you might get pelted by a gear or screw spewing from the engine. David Ubben, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 She has been seen attending his games including the Bucs’ final preseason game against the Dolphins in August 2024, where Baker held her on the field. Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025 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 22 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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