What does preseason mean?
Preseason means the period of preparation before a regular competitive season begins. In professional and amateur sports, it commonly includes training, roster evaluation, roster competition, and unofficial or exhibition matches. The term can refer either to the period itself or, as an adjective, to activities associated with it: preseason training, preseason games, and the preseason schedule. Although most closely associated with sports, it can also describe any period of preparation for a later event, program, or phase of activity. The word distinguishes organized preparation from the official season itself, making it useful when the work and competition leading up to a season are important. In North American English it is particularly frequent, while British usage also understands and sometimes employs the term.
The period before a regular season begins, especially the training and preparatory period in sports.
"The goalkeeper joined the squad late in the preseason."
Often used attributively in compound terms such as “preseason games” and “preseason training.”
Occurring or conducted before the main competitive season.
"A large crowd watched the preseason match."
Normally used before a noun rather than after a linking verb.
The plural is used for separate preparatory periods, such as those of different teams, leagues, or years.
"The club's preseasons have traditionally focused on developing young players."
A season begins with the calendar; in competitive sports, it can also begin with weeks of preparation that the calendar does not officially count.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does preseason come from?
Preseason is a modern compound formed from the prefix pre-, meaning “before,” and season. The word season comes through Old French saison from Latin sationes, a term associated with sowing or the appropriate time for agricultural work, although its precise historical development has been debated. Modern senses of the word developed alongside seasonal activities, including sports seasons, and the compound preseason became established in the context of organized sporting competition.
Related word forms
How preseason is actually used
Most common in North American sports usage, though it is also understood in British English. It is normally singular when referring to the period as a whole. As an adjective, it normally appears before a noun, as in “preseason schedule.”
Easily confused with preseason
Preseason is the period immediately before a season, whereas the offseason is generally the period when a season or activity is not taking place.