postseason

noun post·sea·son \ ˈpōs(t)-ˌsē-zᵊn \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of postseason

plural postseasons

US, sports

: a period of time immediately after the regular season when teams play against each other in a series of games to determine a champion

NFL fans have been complaining that the 2016 postseason is the worst in history.
—Michael Salfino

The teams will face each other in the postseason.

—often used before another noun

a postseason game/victory

their postseason record

See postseason defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of postseason from the Web

The team didn’t surge into the playoffs, but move was made with an eye toward the next two seasons when the hope is a nucleus of Jackson, Drummond and Griffin can return the franchise to the postseason.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons' use of trade market gets solid marks under Van Gundy," 7 Apr. 2018
The top priority is -- and always has been -- getting to the postseason at full strength.

— chris fedor, cleveland.com, "Why Cleveland Cavaliers falling to fourth in Eastern Conference is significant: Chris Fedor," 7 Apr. 2018
When the Spurs advanced to the postseason, City Council asked him to surrender the date.

— from express-news archives, San Antonio Express-News, "Evangelist wowed HemisFair Arena crowd during halftime at Spurs game in 1974," 6 Apr. 2018
New Orleans plays on the road against the Phoenix Suns Friday (April 6) to kick off a three-game road trip that could either make or break the team's chances of making it to the postseason.

— william guillory, NOLA.com, "Anthony Davis, Pelicans attempting to build playoff foundation in New Orleans," 6 Apr. 2018
On the open sides of the rings, 10 diamonds and one blue sapphire represent the 11 times the team has made it to the postseason in franchise history.

— matt young, Houston Chronicle, "Astros World Series rings have 214 diamonds, 25 sapphires," 3 Apr. 2018
Crosby, who has 28 goals and 57 assists, sees a benefit in peaking in the weeks leading up to the postseason.

— allan kreda, New York Times, "Sidney Crosby and Penguins Try to Peak at the Right Time," 31 Mar. 2018
For starters, a solid bullpen has been the bread and butter of teams that Buck has gotten to the postseason, but with Zach Britton out until June, the unit could really struggle.

— si.com staff, SI.com, "Enemy Lines: Opposing Scouts Size Up the American League," 28 Mar. 2018
Checking out the National League where the Nationals, Brewers and Rockies will win their divisions and the Cubs and Dodgers will get to the postseason with wild cards.

— ed barkowitz, Philly.com, "National League preview: Odds, picks and moves for the 2018 MLB season," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'postseason.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of postseason

1893

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postseason

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