season

noun

sea·son | \ ˈsē-zᵊn

Definition of season

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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 : off-season closed for the season

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

season

verb

seasoned; seasoning\ ˈsēz-niŋ

, ˈsē-zᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of season (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about season

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Synonyms for season

Synonyms: Verb

flavor, lace, savor (also 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

No airline has the cheapest prices for every route, every day, every season. — Rick Seaney, USA TODAY, "Here are five ways to save on Thanksgiving flights. Spoiler alert: It's time to buy now," 9 Sep. 2019 Pinson Valley beat Clay-Chalkville 28-21 in the 2018 regular season and 28-20 in the semifinals. — Josh Bean | Jbean@al.com, al, "Take 5: Get sneak peek at Birmingham’s best HS games this week," 9 Sep. 2019 But he and the Seahawks will take it in their regular season opening game. — oregonlive, "Watch: Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner says ‘it was an ugly win’ over the Bengals," 9 Sep. 2019 Windsor: Lions usher in new season in most Lions way ever: With an epic fail Stock down CB/PR Jamal Agnew Agnew was a Pro Bowl return man two seasons ago, but had a rough game Sunday. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions stock watch: T.J. Hockenson shines, run game sputters," 9 Sep. 2019 The Conners will be returning for season 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 24, with a 19-episode order. — Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, "Katey Sagal returning to 'The Conners' in big story line opposite John Goodman's Dan," 9 Sep. 2019 Arguably the biggest transition in Lindsay’s sophomore NFL season? — Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, "How Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay can grow after breakout rookie season: “My mindset is grind”," 9 Sep. 2019 Small inspirational items have coincided with a change in the mood at Brunswick, which went 5-5 two years ago in Pinzone's first season and seeks its first playoff appearance since 2014. — Matt Goul, cleveland.com, "Olmsted Falls maintains its bite; why Brunswick’s chain has stronger links: HS football quick hits," 9 Sep. 2019 The planet, too, is still marvelously intact, still basically normal—seasons changing, another election year coming, new comedies on Netflix—and its impending collapse is even harder to wrap my mind around than death. — Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, "What If We Stopped Pretending?," 8 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

West Coast classic that blends a malt backbone with throwback hops to bring out the delicious bitterness that seasoned IPA drinkers love. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "What’s new at San Diego casinos: restaurants, beer, mobile apps and menu changes," 8 Sep. 2019 The Wooden Chair: Sweet Potato Grain Bowl, which has seasoned black beans and corn, quinoa, sweet potatoes, poached eggs and fresh avocado. — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin 'breakfast clubs' are like supper clubs, but with pancakes and hash browns instead of steak and relish trays," 30 Aug. 2019 Chicken can be baked, deep fried, pan seared or seasoned and sauced up to one’s delight. — Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, "Which came first: The fried chicken or the racist trope?," 24 Aug. 2019 But even someone as seasoned as Chowning can't prepare for everything. — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Green goo and ghost peppers: When fair food entries go wrong, these judges pay the price," 16 Aug. 2019 However, Leipzig's players and their coach don't have any experience of winning the Bundesliga, and that could prove to be crucial if a race between themselves and Bayern, seasoned in securing top flight titles, emerges. — SI.com, "RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund or Bayern Munich: Assessing Each of the Bundesliga Title Favourites," 5 Aug. 2019 Sauté seasoned squash on medium heat until golden brown; about 5 minutes. — CBS News, "The Dish: Chef Nina Compton shares her signature recipes," 3 Aug. 2019 So, uh, not to break anybody's heart on this lovely Monday morning, but Laura Dern may have just confirmed that a Big Little Lies season three truly might not be happening after all. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Did Laura Dern Just Confirm There Really Won't Be a 'Big Little Lies' Season 3?," 22 July 2019 These stellar birds make the Truongs’ lightly seasoned chicken pho some of the best in town. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "The best restaurants in Mesa," 15 July 2019

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

History and Etymology for season

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

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