pregame

adjective pre·game \ ˈprē-ˌgām \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of pregame

: existing or occurring before a game

a pregame party

the athlete's usual pregame meal/warm-up

The Bulls had finished their pregame shooting and were returning for the regular pregame meeting to go over the scouting report …
—Sam Smith

See pregame defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of pregame from the Web

However, the pregame coin flip offered a glimpse at who will be in positions of leadership this season.

— chris solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State football: Matt Allen gets start for Spartans at center," 7 Apr. 2018
Rizzo, who will participate in pregame ceremonies Friday to honor the victims and their relatives, visited his hometown two days before and even watched the Douglas Eagles cruise to a 15-0 baseball victory.

— jorge l. ortiz, USA TODAY, "Anthony Rizzo's home run an 'out-of-body experience' on emotional Opening Day," 29 Mar. 2018
Hillbilly Ball denotes not pregame meals of squirrel stew chased with moonshine but a fast brand of basketball, played by the Marshall University Thundering Herd of coach Dan D’Antoni.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Marshall's D'Antoni brings "Hillbilly Ball" to San Diego," 15 Mar. 2018
The anthem will cap pregame festivities for the Marlins’ opener beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday that features a performance by Miami’s DJ Khaled and Poo Bear.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Pop star Jason Derulo, a Miramar native, to sing national anthem at Marlins' opener," 26 Mar. 2018
Ticket packages are available that will include a pregame party in the bullpen picnic area from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., a game ticket and the bobblehead as well as the opportunity to meet the characters.

— jennifer badie, baltimoresun.com, "This is no Jedi mind trick: Orioles will host Star Wars night, complete with O'Day-Obi Wan bobblehead," 23 Mar. 2018
There is an exception for guys with certain pregame routines such as Terry's video poker habit, which the 40-year-old has long used as a way to ease his mind before taking the court.

— candace buckner, chicagotribune.com, "NBA players know they're addicted to their phones — good luck getting them to unplug," 20 Mar. 2018
That game tips off at 6:45 p.m. on Tru TV, but there was a little pregame action.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "K-State, UMBC had a fun exchange on Twitter ahead of Sunday's game | The Kansas City Star," 18 Mar. 2018
MVPs from the games will be recognized on the field during pregame ceremonies, compliments of MSA Sport.

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Reds Futures High School Showcase to feature 108 teams, 55 games," 2 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of pregame

1906

in the meaning defined above

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pregame

verb pre·game \ ˌprē-ˈgām \

Definition of pregame

pregamed; pregaming

intransitive verb

US, informal

: to begin drinking alcohol before an event or activity (such as a party or a night out)

Her friends, all in their 20s and pregaming for a Saturday night out in the bars, nodded enthusiastically.
—Dan Kois

On the same principle, pregaming with a few shots before you arrive is a risky maneuver. You should be relatively sober when you present your host gift and size up the situation.
—Pete Wells

—

pregaming

noun

- Pregaming … is the practice of consuming alcohol before going to a social event.
- —Georgina Lawton
- … students reported higher rates of pregaming and alcohol-related blackouts than national averages.
- —Tess Sohngen

Recent Examples of pregame from the Web

Prior to Monday, Earnhardt made his first appearance this year on NBC during the Super Bowl pregame show and followed it up by reporting from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Dale Earnhardt Jr. wore a fantastic plaid suit for his NASCAR analyst debut," 13 Mar. 2018
But in Wednesday’s pregame press conference, the 6-foot-7 center said it’s critical the Norse find success in the paint early and often.

— charlie hatch, Cincinnati.com, "Preview: Northern Kentucky facing matchup at Wright State on Friday night," 15 Feb. 2018
The head coaches’ pregame demeanors contrasted as sharply as their leagues.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Super Bowl history game-by-game, from Packers to Patriots | Miami Herald," 30 Jan. 2018
Maybin participated in outfield drills during the team’s pregame workouts on Saturday morning.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Marlins’ rookie showing promise at key position while veteran recovers from injury | Miami Herald," 3 Mar. 2018
The ad will run during the Super Bowl pregame show in Tennessee and cost Black $50,000.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "Angry at the NFL, Some GOP Candidates Say They Won’t Watch the Super Bowl," 2 Feb. 2018
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen, a Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist, will be part of ESPN’s pregame show Sunday for Super Bowl LII.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Greg Olsen, Man of the Year finalist, talks Norv Turner, Super Bowl and his health," 2 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of pregame

2004

in the meaning defined above

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pregame

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pregame

Definition of pregame

pregaming

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