season

1 of 2

noun

sea·​son ˈsē-zᵊn 

1

a

: a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature

in a season of religious awakening

—F. A. Christie

b

: a suitable or natural time or occasion

when my season comes to sit on David's throne

—John Milton

c

: an indefinite period of time : while

sent home again to her father for a season

—Francis 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 sē-zᵊn-iŋ 

ˈsēz-niŋˈ

transitive verb

1

a

: to give (food) more flavor or zest by adding seasoning

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

intransitive verb

: to become seasoned

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

Synonyms

Verb

• flavor
• lace
• savor
• savour
• spice

Examples of season in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Having not secured a ride for the 2025 season, the urgency to perform well has never been greater. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

Hayes had published a column on October 23 criticizing Embiid for not being prepared for the season. —Homero De La Fuente, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

The sweeter notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak in bourbon pair well with the roasted flavors of turkey, whether it’s simply seasoned or glazed. —Emily Price, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Keep this zesty, herbaceous, and spicy Creole seasoning on hand for all of your favorite Creole dishes. —Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing season

• breeding season
• Christmas season
• flu season
• growing season
• holiday season
• low season
• mating season
• mud season
• off-season
• open season
• peak season
• season ticket
• season to taste
• silly season
• the holiday season
• tourist season

Kids Definition

season

1 of 2 noun

sea·​son ˈsēz-ᵊn 

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

: seasoning

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 

-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