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 a season where the top tier has separated itself from everyone else, Michigan has unfailingly remained consistent, never dipping lower than seventh in the nation (its preseason ranking). —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026

The Pirates were picked to finish last in the preseason coaches’ poll. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026

This past preseason, the Big East coaches pegged Ejiofor as the favorite to win Big East Player of the Year. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026

The San Antonio native was a key reserve during last year’s Elite Eight run, but was ruled out in the preseason with a season-ending injury. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preseason

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