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

And then, following the 2025 preseason, Pickett was dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders. —Mike Kaye march 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026

All players and coaches made autobiographical powerpoint presentations to the team during the preseason. —Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

The Bruins had a preseason logjam in their starting lineup with the arrival of transfers Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Two summers ago, the Patriots hosted the Eagles for joint practices before their second preseason game. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preseason

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