season

1 of 2

noun

sea·​son ˈsē-zᵊn How to pronounce season (audio)
1
a
: a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature
in a season of religious awakeningF. A. Christie
b
: a suitable or natural time or occasion
when my season comes to sit on David's throneJohn Milton
c
: an indefinite period of time : while
sent home again to her father for a seasonFrancis Hackett
2
a
: a period of the year characterized by or associated with a particular activity or phenomenon
hay fever season
: such as
(1)
: a period associated with some phase or activity of agriculture (such as growth or harvesting)
(2)
: a period in which an animal engages in some activity (such as migrating or mating)
also : estrus, heat
(3)
: the period normally characterized by a particular kind of weather
a long rainy season
(4)
: a period marked by special activity especially in some field
tourist season
hunting season
(5)
: a period in which a place is most frequented
b
: one of the four quarters into which the year is commonly divided
c
: the time of a major holiday
d
: a period of time when a series of new television shows, plays, etc., are being shown or performed
a show entering its second season
the first/best episode of the season
the season's final performance
3
: year
a boy of seven seasons
4
[Middle English sesoun, from sesounen to season] : seasoning
5
: the schedule of official games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season
got through the season undefeated
6
: offseason
closed for the season

season

2 of 2

verb

seasoned; seasoning ˈsēz-niŋ How to pronounce season (audio)
ˈsē-zᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to give (food) more flavor or zest by adding seasoning or savory ingredients
b
: to give a distinctive quality to as if by seasoning
especially : to make more agreeable
advice seasoned with wit
c
archaic : to qualify by admixture : temper
2
a
: to treat (something, such as wood or a skillet) so as to prepare for use
b
: to make fit by experience
a seasoned veteran
Phrases
in season
1
: at the right time
2
: at the stage of greatest fitness (as for eating)
peaches are in season
3
: legally available to be hunted or caught
out of season
: not in season

Example Sentences

Noun I enjoy watching the seasons change every year. These plants have a short growing season. Deer season starts next week. Monsoon season is coming soon. This season's fashions are very feminine. Pink is in style this season. The theater company will be putting on plays by Shakespeare this season. one of the shows in the network's season lineup Verb You must season the firewood. the chef seasoned the vegetables as soon as they came out of the oven See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
By his standards, Oswego’s Tyler Stack has had an up-and-down season offensively. Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2023 Now, the actress returns to that Y2K nostalgia as an executive producer of Freeform’s Cruel Summer, now in its second season. Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 June 2023 The Gaels, a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, finished last season 27-8 and lost to XU's Big East rival, UConn, in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 1 June 2023 This Emmy season, four series offer thoughtful variations on the theme of global doom. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2023 The National Hurricane Center season is tracking a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. Li Cohen, CBS News, 1 June 2023 And although Monaco isn’t known for its architecture, new refurbishments are making sure the historic principality is looking its best in time for the summer season. Nicola Leigh Stewart, Robb Report, 1 June 2023 Now Andor is slowly making its way to that destination, as the second and final season will premiere in August 2024. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 1 June 2023 Talk to me about Roy and Jamie’s friendship this season. Brooke Lamantia, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 June 2023
Verb
Pit Boss also offers a ceramic griddle, perfect for people who don't want to fuss with seasoning their grill. goodhousekeeping.com, 1 June 2023 Season one followed the eldest daughter, Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and her romance with a Duke, Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and season two of Bridgerton detailed the enemies-to-lovers story of Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley). Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 May 2023 John Legend and Gwen Stefani will also be back as coaches, as will season 23 newcomer Niall Horan, NBC confirmed during an upfront presentation Monday. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 15 May 2023 Luckily, seasoning cast-iron cookware is incredibly easy, says Ross. Emma Bazilian, House Beautiful, 12 May 2023 When does season 2 of 'Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi' come to Hulu? Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 8 May 2023 To seasoned New Yorkers, the presence of a roach is not shocking – but still unwelcome. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 2 May 2023 Ramasoot’s sauce is a deep brown condiment with a soybean paste base, seasoned with fish sauce, brown sugar, fresh garlic, chile and ginger. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2023 They’re also ground up and used in a kind of seasoning salt mixture that tastes smoky, Kawahara says. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'season.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sesoun, from Anglo-French seison natural season, appropriate time, from Latin sation-, satio action of sowing, from serere to sow — more at sow

Verb

Middle English sesounen, back-formation from sesounde flavored, from Anglo-French seisoné brought to a desired state, from seison

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of season was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near season

Cite this Entry

“Season.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/season. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

season

1 of 2 noun
sea·​son ˈsēz-ᵊn How to pronounce season (audio)
1
a
: a suitable or natural time or occasion
a season for all things
b
: an indefinite period of time : while
willing to wait a season
2
a
: a period of the year associated with something in particular that happens every year
the baseball season
b
: a period marked by special activity especially in some field
tourist season
c
: a period in which a place is most often visited
d
: one of the four quarters into which the year is commonly divided compare autumn sense 1, spring, summer entry 1 sense 1, winter sense 1
e
: the time of a major holiday
3
4
: the schedule of official games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season
got through the season undefeated

season

2 of 2 verb
seasoned; seasoning ˈsēz-niŋ How to pronounce season (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make pleasant to the taste by adding seasoning
a seasoned stew
2
a
: to make or become suitable for use (as by drying)
season lumber
b
: to make fit by experience
a seasoned sailor
seasoner
ˈsēz-nər
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on season

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