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

The two teams had multiple joint practices last preseason in Oxnard without any extra-curricular fights or things of the sort. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2025

After Russell Wilson injured his calf last preseason, Fields briefly was the Steelers’ starting quarterback, leading them to a 4-2 record. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025

The Panthers will host two home preseason games this summer. Canales, who plans to play the Panthers’ starters during this upcoming preseason, has a relationship with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2025

Mike White was released before the 2024 season after losing preseason competition to Thompson. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preseason

• milesian
• partizan
• postseason
• unreason
• reason
• season
• seizin
• treason