Main Entry: ¹sea·son

Pronunciation: \ˈsē-z^ən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English sesoun, from Anglo-French seison natural season, appropriate time, from Latin sation-, satio action of sowing, from serere to sow — more at sow

Date: 14th century

1 a : a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature <in a season of religious awakening — F. A. Christie> b : a suitable or natural time or occasion <when my season comes to sit on David's throne — John Milton> c : an indefinite period of time : while <sent home again to her father for a season — Francis Hackett>
2 a : a period of the year characterized by or associated with a particular activity or phenomenon <hay fever season>: as (1) : a period associated with some phase or activity of agriculture (as growth or harvesting) (2) : a period in which an animal engages in some activity (as migrating or mating); also : estrus, heat (3) : the period normally characterized by a particular kind of weather <a long rainy season> (4) : a period marked by special activity especially in some field <tourist season> <hunting season> (5) : a period in which a place is most frequented b : one of the four quarters into which the year is commonly divided c : the time of a major holiday
3 : year <a boy of seven seasons>
4 [Middle English sesoun, from sesounen to season] : seasoning
5 : the schedule of official games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season <got through the season undefeated>
6 : off-season <closed for the season>

— in season 1 : at the right time
2 : at the stage of greatest fitness (as for eating) <peaches are in season>
3 : legally available to be hunted or caught

— out of season : not in season