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

In addition to training camp practices, the Patriots will play three preseason games. —Matt Schooley, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Franks will need to outshine Mitchell in training camp and the preseason to regain his fourth tight end spot. —Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026

Ultimately, the preseason will be the best test as Larison, Miller, Montgomery and Terrell Jennings battle it out for the Patriots’ third running back spot. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

His performance there kept him on the radar through preseason training in San Diego. —Idaho Statesman, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preseason

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