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 Dallas Cowboys have made some head-scratching moves in 2025 dating back to the preseason, which have both strengthened the interior of the defensive line but also added confusion about the future of the unit. —Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025

All of that puts them essentially in line with preseason expectations. —Eric Koreen, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

Madsen, the preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, was injured in the first half of Boise State’s 30-7 loss to Fresno State two weeks ago. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025

The Heat also had former first-round pick Precious Achiuwa on its roster for training camp and the preseason before waiving the big man days before the start of the regular season. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preseason

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