season

[ see-zuhn ]

noun

1. one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, but geographically at different dates in different climates.
2. a period of the year characterized by particular conditions of weather, temperature, etc.:

   the rainy season.

3. a period of the year when something is best or available:

   the oyster season.

4. a period of the year marked by certain conditions, activities, etc.:

   baseball season.

5. a period of the year immediately before and after a special holiday or occasion:

   the Christmas season.

6. Sports.
   1. a period with reference to the total number of games to be played by a team:

      a 162-game season.

   2. a period with reference to the won-lost record of a team after it has completed its schedule:

      a .700 season.

7. any period or time:

   in the season of my youth.

8. a suitable, proper, fitting, or right time:

   This is not the season for frivolity.

verb (used with object)

1. to heighten or improve the flavor of (food) by adding condiments, spices, herbs, or the like.
2. to give relish or a certain character to:

   conversation seasoned with wit.

3. to mature, ripen, or condition by exposure to suitable conditions or treatment:

   a writer seasoned by experience.

4. to dry or otherwise treat (lumber) so as to harden and render immune to shrinkage, warpage, etc.
5. to accustom or harden:

   troops seasoned by battle.

verb (used without object)

1. to become seasoned, matured, hardened, or the like.

   Synonyms: toughen, harden, mature

season

/ ˈsiːzən /

noun

1. one of the four equal periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and solstices, resulting from the apparent movement of the sun north and south of the equator during the course of the earth's orbit around it. These periods (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) have their characteristic weather conditions in different regions, and occur at opposite times of the year in the N and S hemispheres
2. a period of the year characterized by particular conditions or activities

   the rainy season

3. the period during which any particular species of animal, bird, or fish is legally permitted to be caught or killed

   open season on red deer

4. a period during which a particular entertainment, sport, etc, takes place

   a season at the National Theatre

   the tourist season

   the football season

5. (esp formerly) a period of fashionable social events in a particular place

   the London season

6. any definite or indefinite period
7. any of the major periods into which the ecclesiastical calendar is divided, such as Lent, Advent, or Easter
8. sometimes capital Christmas (esp in the phrases compliments of the season, Season's greetings )
9. a period or time that is considered proper, suitable, or natural for something
10. in good season
    early enough
11. in season
    1. (of game) permitted to be caught or killed
    2. (of fresh food) readily available
    3. Alsoin heaton heat (of some female mammals) sexually receptive
    4. appropriate

verb

1. tr to add herbs, salt, pepper, or spice to (food)
2. tr to add zest to
3. (in the preparation of timber) to undergo or cause to undergo drying
4. tr; usually passive to make or become mature or experienced

   seasoned troops

5. tr to mitigate or temper

   to season one's admiration with reticence

season

/ sē′zən /

1. One of four natural divisions of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—in temperate zones. Each season has its own characteristic weather and lasts approximately three months. The change in the seasons is brought about by the shift in the angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth. This angle changes as the Earth orbits in its yearly cycle around the Sun due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. For example, when the northern or southern hemisphere of the Earth is at an angle predominantly facing the Sun and has more daylight hours of direct, overhead sunlight than nighttime hours, it is in its summer season; the opposite hemisphere is in then opposite condition and is in its winter season.
2. See also equinox
3. In some tropical climates, either of the two divisions—rainy and dry—into which the year is divided. These divisions are defined on the basis of levels of precipitation.

Derived Forms

• ˈseasoner, noun
• ˈseasonless, adjective
• ˈseasoned, adjective

Other Words From

• seasoned·ly adverb
• season·er noun
• season·less adjective
• non·seasoned adjective
• over·season verb (used with object)
• post·season adjective noun
• pre·season noun
• re·season verb
• well-seasoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of season¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English seso(u)n, from Old French se(i)son, from Latin satiōn-, stem of satiō “a sowing” (in Vulgar Latin: “sowing time”), from sa-, variant stem of serere “to sow” + -tiō -tion; (for the verb) Middle English seso(u)nen, from Old French saisonner “to ripen, make palatable by aging,” derivative of se(i)son

Word History and Origins

Origin of season¹

C13: from Old French seson, from Latin satiō a sowing, from serere to sow

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for a season, for a time, especially a short time:

   He lived in Paris for a season.

2. in good season, in enough time; sufficiently early:

   Applicants will be notified of our decision in good season.

3. in season and out of season, regardless of time or season; at all times:

   Misfortunes plague this family in season and out of season.

4. in season,
   1. in the time or state for use, eating, etc.:

      Asparagus is now in season.

   2. in the period regulated by law, as for hunting and fishing.
   3. at the right time; opportunely.
   4. (of an animal, especially female) in a state of readiness for mating; in heat.
   5. in good season.
5. out of season, not in season:

   The price is so high because lilacs are out of season now.

More idioms and phrases containing season

see in season ; open season .

Example Sentences

After receiving rave reviews — and four Olivier Awards, including best musical — it transferred to Broadway for the 2024-25 season, becoming the first big show to reopen in the newly remodeled Palace Theatre.

From Los Angeles Times

The film is a bewitching spectacle, a classic holiday season event movie that brims with enough earnestness to keep even its fluffiest moments from becoming corny intellectual property slop.

From Salon

La Niña seasons typically produce large numbers of atmospheric rivers, or narrow bands of concentrated water vapor in the sky that act like rivers in the sky.

From Salon

This marks the highest rate of food insecurity in almost a decade, underscoring the growing pressures on American families, especially going into the holiday season.

From Salon

The British YouTube superstars have announced that the second season of their reality show, Inside, will debut on Netflix next year.

From BBC

Related Words

• qualify