First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1season
noun sea·son \ˈsē-zən\
Definition of SEASON
1
a : 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>
2
a : a period of the year characterized by or associated with a particular activity or phenomenon <hay fever season>: as (1) : a period associated with some phase or activity of agriculture (as growth or harvesting) (2) : a period in which an animal engages in some activity (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
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
See season defined for English-language learners
See season defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SEASON
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
Other Calendar Terms
2season
verb
: to add salt, pepper, spices, etc., to (something) to give it more flavor
: to make (wood) ready for use by slowly drying it
sea·sonedsea·son·ing \ˈsēz-niŋ, ˈsē-zən-iŋ\
Full Definition of SEASON
transitive verb
1
2
a : to treat (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
See season defined for English-language learners
Origin of SEASON
Middle English sesounen, back-formation from sesounde flavored, from Anglo-French seisoné brought to a desired state, from seison
First Known Use: 14th century
Rhymes with SEASON
SEASONED Defined for Kids
1season
noun sea·son \ˈsē-zən\
Definition of SEASON for Kids
1
: one of the four quarters into which a year is commonly divided
2
: a period of time associated with something special <apple season>
2season
verb
sea·sonedsea·son·ing
Definition of SEASON for Kids
1
: to add flavor to (food) with spices and herbs
2
: to make suitable for use (as by aging or drying) <Has this wood been seasoned?>
Learn More About SEASON
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: seasonablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: sea soldierAll Words Near: season
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up season? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).