What does postseason mean?
Postseason denotes the part of a sporting competition that comes after the regular season. It is used most often in baseball, where the postseason consists of playoff series leading to a league championship and the World Series, but the term also applies to playoffs in football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and other sports. In general writing, “postseason” can identify the competitive period as a whole or the games played during it. Its common collocations include “postseason game,” “postseason play,” and “postseason run.” Although “playoffs” is a close synonym, postseason can refer to the broader period rather than only a named elimination series. The word is chiefly associated with American and Canadian English and became especially familiar through baseball reporting.
nounThe period of competition following the regular season of a sport, especially baseball. The term may refer to the postseason period itself or to the games and playoffs contested during that period.
- The period following a sport's regular season, especially the playoff games held during that period.
"The pitcher made his first postseason appearance in six years."
"The team reached the postseason for the third consecutive year."
"Several veteran players declined to play in the postseason."
"The postseason began with a nationally televised series between the two league leaders."
Used when referring to postseasons in different seasons, leagues, sports, or competitions.
"The franchise has won three postseasons in the past decade."
Born in 19th-century baseball language, “postseason” has become shorthand for the dramatic contests that decide a champion after the regular season ends.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postseason come from?
Postseason was formed in English by combining the prefix post-, meaning “after,” with season. The expression originated in 19th-century American baseball before expanding into more general sporting usage. The element season ultimately comes through Old French from Latin sationes, a word associated with sowing or planting, while related English forms include seasonal and seasonable.
How postseason is actually used
The term is especially common in American sports reporting and is most strongly associated with baseball, although it is now used more broadly for playoff competition in many sports.