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
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
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
After training camp battles and preseason storylines come to a close, the start of the new NFL season will feature some of the best in the game as well as new faces in the 2026 rookie class hoping to make their mark.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Banana Ball’s preseason begins February 26, with the regular season kicking off April 16.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Little hit a 70-yard field goal in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preseason opener, a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Little gave fans a glimpse of what was to come.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Atlantic 10 opener delivers drama Davidson (8-5) and Duquesne (9-5) entered conference play picked 11th and ninth, respectively, in the preseason A-10 poll.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preseason
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Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Banana Ball’s preseason begins February 26, with the regular season kicking off April 16.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Little hit a 70-yard field goal in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preseason opener, a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Little gave fans a glimpse of what was to come.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Atlantic 10 opener delivers drama Davidson (8-5) and Duquesne (9-5) entered conference play picked 11th and ninth, respectively, in the preseason A-10 poll.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preseason
Cite this Entry
“Preseason.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preseason. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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