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 sē-zᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce season (audio)
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
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Elliott has yet to make a field goal from over 50 yards this season. Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024 As the holiday season approaches, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, retailers are ramping up discounts to capture customer dollars. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Both have law degrees from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and seasoned careers in family law. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024 Some reference headphones can be a bit like food that hasn’t been seasoned properly. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for season 

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 22 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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