Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense seasons, present participle seasoning, past tense, past participle seasoned
1. countable noun
The seasons are the main periods into which a year can be divided and which each have their owntypical weather conditions.
Autumn's my favourite season.
...the only region of Brazil where all four seasons are clearly defined.
...the rainy season.
2. countable noun [usually singular]
You can use season to refer to the period during each year when a particular activity or event takes place. Forexample, the planting season is the period when a particular plant or crop is planted.
...birds arriving for the breeding season.
For law students, autumn brings the recruiting season.
Synonyms: period, time, term, spell More Synonyms of season
3. countable noun [noun NOUN, oft in/out ofN]
You can use season to refer to the period when a particular fruit, vegetable, or other food is ready for eating and is widely available.
The plum season is about to begin.
Now British asparagus is in season.
4. countable noun [usually singular]
You can use season to refer to a fixed period during each year when a particular sport is played.
...the baseball season.
It is his first race this season.
5. countable noun
A season is a period in which a play or show, or a series of plays or shows, is performedin one place.
...a season of three new plays.
...the Royal Ballet's summer season.
6. countable noun [usually singular]
A seasonof films is several of them shown as a series because they are connected in some way.
...a season of films by America's preeminent documentary maker, Ken Burns. [+ of]
7. countable noun [usually singular, oft in/out ofN]
The holiday or vacation season is the time when most people have their holiday.
...the peak holiday season.
There are discos and clubs but these are often closed out of season.
8. verb
If you season food with salt, pepper, or spices, you add them to it in order to improve its flavour.
Season the meat with salt and pepper. [VERB noun + with]
I believe in seasoning food before putting it on the table. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: flavour, salt, spice, lace More Synonyms of season
9. verb [usually passive]
If wood is seasoned, it is made suitable for making into furniture or for burning, usually by being allowed to dry out gradually.
Ensure that new wood has been seasoned. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: mature, age, condition, prime More Synonyms of season
10. See also seasoned, seasoning
11.
See in season
More Synonyms of season
season in British English
(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 legallypermitted 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 football season
the tourist 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
11. in season
verb
12. (transitive)
to add herbs, salt, pepper, or spice to (food)
13. (transitive)
to add zest to
14.
(in the preparation of timber) to undergo or cause to undergo drying
15. (tr; usually passive)
to make or become mature or experienced
seasoned troops
16. (transitive)
to mitigate or temper
to season one's admiration with reticence
Derived forms
seasoned (ˈseasoned)
adjective
seasoner (ˈseasoner)
noun
seasonless (ˈseasonless)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French seson, from Latin satiō a sowing, from serere to sow
season in American English
(ˈsizən)
noun
1.
any of the four arbitrary divisions of the year, characterized chiefly by differences in temperature, precipitation, amount of daylight, and plant growth; spring, summer, fall (or autumn), or winter
2.
a time or part of the year during which a specified kind of agricultural work is done or a specified kind of weather prevails
the harvest season, the rainy season
3.
the time when something specified flourishes, develops, takes place, or is popular, permitted, or at its best
the opera season, the hunting season
4.
a period of time
a slack season in business
5.
the suitable, fitting, or convenient time
6.
the period of time during which a specified festival or holiday occurs
the Christmas season
7. Obsolete
something that seasons
verb transitive
8.
to make (food) more tasty by adding salt, spices, etc.
9.
to add zest or interest to
to season a lecture with humor
10.
a.
to make more suitable for use; improve the quality of, as by aging, drying, etc.;cure; mature
to season lumber
b.
to give (an athlete, actor, etc.) experience to increase skill
many tours seasoned him as an actor
11.
to make used to; accustom; inure; acclimate
seasoned to a hard life
12.
to make less harsh or severe; temper; soften
discipline seasoned with kindness
verb intransitive
13.
to become seasoned, as wood by drying
Idioms:
for a season
in good season
in season
out of season
Derived forms
seasoner (ˈseasoner)
noun
Word origin
ME sesoun < OFr seson < VL satio, season for sowing < L, a sowing, planting < base of serere, to sow: see seed
season in Retail
(sizən)
Word forms: (regular plural) seasons
noun
(Retail: Products)
In retailing, a season is a distinct time of the year when certain types of goods are available or in vogue.
We will also open a new store this year in the St. Louis market in time for the back-to-schoolselling season.
Spring season fashions are bought the previous summer or fall.
In retailing, a season is a distinct time of the year when certain types of goods are available or in vogue.
seasonal
More idioms containing
season
open season on someone or something
COBUILD Collocations
season
difficult season
flu season
next season
rainy season
successful season
whole season
Examples of 'season' in a sentence
season
Season with some pepper and serve piping hot.
The Sun (2012)
Smear any escaping herby oil over the outside of the meat and season it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The answer is to eat food in season.
The Sun (2008)
This period of the season you feel much more under pressure as a manager.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We are hopefully going to go for all four again this season.
The Sun (2009)
The autumn season has begun strongly and could well continue that way.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Season well and add a generous amount of olive oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We turned them over at their place last season.
The Sun (2015)
We had a fantastic season last time.
The Sun (2015)
It turns out that silver tantrums are actually a key stage of the holiday season.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Then place them with the wings in a roasting tin and season with salt and pepper.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He has improved throughout the season and stays this trip well.
The Sun (2015)
Season with pepper and process until fairly smooth.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Season the meat with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the lemon zest and nutmeg.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was a ski resort with hardly any snow in winter because their winter was the dry season.
Magnouloux, Bernard Travels with Rosinante (1990)
The idea of us being together for the closest finish to a season in years was too much to bear.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The fly-half has burst into the limelight this season with a series of stunning displays.
The Sun (2008)
Quotations
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavenBible: Ecclesiastes
Summer has set in with its usual severitySamuel Taylor Coleridge
summer afternoon - summer afternoon. the two most beautiful words in the English languageHenry James
Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperateWilliam ShakespeareSonnets
season of mists and mellow fruitfulnessJohn KeatsTo Autumn
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?Percy Bysshe ShelleyOde to the West Wind
in the bleak mid-winterChristina RosettiMid-Winter
the English winter - ending in July to recommence in AugustLord Byron
In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of loveAlfred, Lord TennysonLocksley Hall
One swallow does not make a summer
In other languages
season
British English: season /ˈsiːzn/ NOUN
The seasons are the periods into which a year is divided and which each have their own typical weather conditions.
Autumn's my favourite season.
American English: season
Arabic: مَوْسِم
Brazilian Portuguese: estação do ano
Chinese: 季节
Croatian: godišnje doba
Czech: roční období
Danish: årstid
Dutch: seizoen
European Spanish: estación año
Finnish: vuodenaika
French: saison
German: Jahreszeit
Greek: εποχή
Italian: stagione
Japanese: 季節
Korean: 계절
Norwegian: årstid
Polish: pora roku
European Portuguese: estação do ano
Romanian: sezon
Russian: время года
Latin American Spanish: estación periodo
Swedish: säsong
Thai: ฤดู
Turkish: mevsim
Ukrainian: сезон
Vietnamese: mùa
All related terms of 'season'
in season
If a female animal is in season , she is in a state where she is ready to have sex .
on-season
being a time of year that is the busiest or most popular for a specific activity ; in season
dead season
a period during which there is very little activity either in business or in the political world
flat season
the part of the year during which flat racing takes place
flu season
You can use season to refer to the period during each year when a particular activity or event takes place. For example, the planting season is the period when a particular plant or crop is planted.
high season
The high season is the time of year when a place has most tourists or visitors .
low season
The low season is the time of year when a place receives the fewest visitors , and fares and holiday accommodation are often cheaper.
mid-season
the middle of a season of the year or of a sporting season
neap season
the time of year when either of the two tides that occur at the first or last quarter of the moon when the tide-generating forces of the sun and moon oppose each other and produce the smallest rise and fall in tidal level
next season
You can use season to refer to a fixed period during each year when a particular sport is played.
off season
The off season is the time of the year when not many people go on holiday and when things such as hotels and plane tickets are often cheaper .
open season
If you say that it is open season on someone or something, you mean that a lot of people are currently criticizing or attacking them.
peak season
the time of year when the most people take holidays and when holidays are at the highest prices
closed season
any of various annual periods during which it is illegal to kill or capture certain game or fish
close season
In football and some other sports , the close season is the period of the year when the sport is not played professionally.
mating season
the period during each year when a particular bird , animal, or fish mates
rainy season
The seasons are the main periods into which a year can be divided and which each have their own typical weather conditions.
season creep
the gradual changing in the length of the seasons , as demonstrated by earlier flowering of plants, etc, thought by many to be caused by climate change
season finale
The finale of a show, piece of music, or series of shows is the last part of it or the last one of them, especially when this is exciting or impressive .
season ticket
A season ticket is a ticket that you can use repeatedly during a certain period , without having to pay each time. You can buy season tickets for things such as buses , trains , regular sporting events, or theatre performances .
silly season
The silly season is the time around August when the newspapers are full of unimportant or silly news stories because there is not much political news to report .
soccer season
the part of each year during which soccer is usually played
whole season
You can use season to refer to a fixed period during each year when a particular sport is played.
winter season
→ the winter season
breeding season
the time of year during which animals breed
cuffing season
the period of autumn and winter , when single people are considered likely to seek settled relationships rather than engage in casual affairs
festive season
People sometimes refer to the Christmas period as the festive season .
football season
that part of the year during which football matches are held
for a season
for a while
growing season
The growing season in a particular country or area is the period in each year when the weather and temperature is right for plants and crops to grow.
hunting season
the period each year when it is legal to hunt a particular animal
rutting season
a recurrent period of sexual excitement and reproductive activity in certain male ruminants , such as the deer , that corresponds to the period of oestrus in females
shoulder season
a travel season between peak and off-peak seasons, esp. spring and fall, when fares tend to be relatively low
transfer season
the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other teams into their own
difficult season
You can use season to refer to a fixed period during each year when a particular sport is played.
hurricane season
the period during each year when hurricanes are most likely to occur in a given place
in good season
early enough
out of season
not in season
successful season
You can use season to refer to a fixed period during each year when a particular sport is played.
the winter season
the season of the year that covers the winter months
preseason
the period immediately before the official season for a particular sport begins
season ticket holder
a person who has a season ticket
open season on someone or something
when a lot of people are criticizing or attacking someone or something
Chinese translation of 'season'
season
(ˈsiːzn)
n(c)
[of year]季节(節) (jìjié) (个(個), gè)
(for activity) 时(時)节(節) (shíjié) (个(個), gè)
⇒ the planting season种植时节 (zhòngzhí shíjié)
⇒ the rainy season雨季 (yǔjì)
(= series)[of films etc]上映期 (shàngyìngqī)
⇒ a new season of horror films恐怖片新的上映期 (kǒngbùpiàn xīn de shàngyìngqī)
vt
to season sth (with sth)(用某物)给(給)某物调(調)味 ((yòng mǒuwù) gěi mǒuwù tiáowèi)
the football season足球赛(賽)季 (zúqiú sàijì)
raspberries are in season/out of season红(紅)莓正当(當)令/下市 (hóngméi zhèng dānglìng/xiàshì)
All related terms of 'season'
high season
▶ the high season 旺季 wàngjì
off-season
▶ the off season 淡季 dànjì
rainy season
雨季 yǔjì
season ticket
季票 jìpiào [ 张(張) zhāng ]
the high season
旺季 wàngjì
the off season
淡季 dànjì
the festive season
节(節)日期 jiérìqī
the football season
足球赛(賽)季 zúqiú sàijì
raspberries are in season/out of season
红(紅)莓正当(當)令/下市 hóngméi zhèng dānglìng/xiàshì
Christmas/the football season is upon us
圣(聖)诞(誕)节(節)/足球赛(賽)季就要来(來)了 Shèngdàn Jié/zúqiú sàijì jiù yào lái le
monsoon
monsoon season
to season sth (with sth)
(用某物)给(給)某物调(調)味 (yòng mǒuwù) gěi mǒuwù tiáowèi
(noun)
Definition
any definite or indefinite period
birds arriving for the breeding season
Synonyms
period
a period of a few months
time
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.
term
a 12-month term of service
spell
There has been a spell of dry weather.
time of year
1 (verb)
Definition
to add herbs, salt, pepper, or spice to (food) in order to enhance the flavour
Season the meat with salt and pepper.
Synonyms
flavour
Flavour dishes with exotic herbs and spices.
salt
spice
lace
a speech laced with wry humour
salt and pepper
enliven
Her presence enlivened even the most boring meeting.
pep up
leaven
2 (verb)
Ensure that the new wood has been seasoned.
Synonyms
mature
the cellars where the cheeses are matured
age
Cheese can be tastier as it ages.
condition
prime
They were primed and ready to execute the plan.
prepare
temper
mellow
Long cooking mellows the flavour beautifully.
ripen
I'm waiting for the apples to ripen.
acclimatize
3 (verb)
Definition
to make experienced
Both actors seem to have been seasoned by experience.
Synonyms
make experienced
train
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.
mature
prepare
It is a school's job to prepare students for university studies.
discipline
harden
hardened by the rigours of the Siberian steppes
accustom
He accustoms us to a mixture of humour and tragedy in one play.
toughen
laminated and toughened glass
inure
habituate
The researchers first habituated each baby to their surroundings.
acclimatize
This year he has left early to acclimatize himself.
anneal
4 (verb)
Synonyms
mitigate
ways of mitigating the effects of an explosion
qualify
I would qualify that by putting it into context.
moderate
They are hoping that she will be persuaded to moderate her views.
temper
phrase
See in season
subject word lists
See Seasons
Quotations
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven [Bible: Ecclesiastes]Summer has set in with its usual severity [Samuel Taylor Coleridge]summer afternoon - summer afternoon. the two most beautiful words in the English language [Henry James]Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate [William Shakespeare – Sonnets]season of mists and mellow fruitfulness [John Keats – To Autumn]If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? [Percy Bysshe Shelley – Ode to the West Wind]in the bleak mid-winter [Christina Rosetti – Mid-Winter]the English winter - ending in July to recommence in August [Lord Byron]In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love [Alfred, Lord Tennyson – Locksley Hall]
proverb
One swallow does not make a summer
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acclimatize
Definition
to adapt to a new climate or environment
This year he has left early to acclimatize himself.
Synonyms
adapt,
prepare,
adjust,
accommodate,
accustom,
familiarize,
inure,
shape,
naturalize,
habituate,
acculturate,
acculture,
jack up (New Zealand)
in the sense of accustom
He accustoms us to a mixture of humour and tragedy in one play.
Synonyms
familiarize,
train,
coach,
exercise,
discipline,
adapt,
instruct,
make used,
school,
season,
acquaint,
inure,
habituate,
acclimatize,
make conversant
in the sense of age
Definition
to appear or cause to appear older
Cheese can be tastier as it ages.
Synonyms
mature,
season,
condition,
soften,
mellow,
ripen
Synonyms of 'season'
season
Explore 'season' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of anneal
Definition
to toughen (glass or metal) by heat treatment
Synonyms
toughen,
steel,
strengthen,
temper,
harden,
case-harden,
indurate
in the sense of enliven
Definition
to make lively, cheerful, or bright
Her presence enlivened even the most boring meeting.
Synonyms
cheer up,
excite,
inspire,
cheer,
spark,
enhance,
stimulate,
wake up,
animate,
fire,
rouse,
brighten,
exhilarate,
quicken,
hearten,
perk up,
liven up,
buoy up,
pep up,
invigorate,
gladden,
vitalize,
vivify,
inspirit,
make more exciting,
make more lively
in the sense of habituate
Definition
to accustom
The researchers first habituated each baby to their surroundings.
Synonyms
accustom,
train,
condition,
school,
season,
discipline,
break in,
harden,
acquaint,
familiarize,
inure,
acclimatize,
make used to
in the sense of harden
Definition
to make or become tough or unfeeling
hardened by the rigours of the Siberian steppes
Synonyms
accustom,
season,
toughen,
train,
brutalize,
inure,
habituate,
case-harden
in the sense of lace
a speech laced with wry humour
Synonyms
enrich,
pepper,
spice,
sprinkle,
enliven,
liven up
in the sense of mellow
Definition
to make or become mellow
Long cooking mellows the flavour beautifully.
Synonyms
season,
develop,
improve,
perfect,
ripen
in the sense of moderate
Definition
to make or become less extreme or violent
They are hoping that she will be persuaded to moderate her views.
Synonyms
soften,
control,
calm,
temper,
regulate,
quiet,
diminish,
decrease,
curb,
restrain,
tame,
subdue,
play down,
lessen,
repress,
mitigate,
tone down,
pacify,
modulate,
soft-pedal (informal)
in the sense of prepare
It is a school's job to prepare students for university studies.
Synonyms
train,
guide,
prime,
direct,
coach,
brief,
discipline,
groom,
put someone in the picture
in the sense of prime
Definition
to prepare (something)
They were primed and ready to execute the plan.
Synonyms
prepare,
set up,
load,
equip,
get ready,
make ready
in the sense of qualify
Definition
to moderate or restrict (a statement one has made)
I would qualify that by putting it into context.
Synonyms
restrict,
limit,
reduce,
vary,
ease,
moderate,
adapt,
modify,
regulate,
diminish,
temper,
soften,
restrain,
lessen,
mitigate,
abate,
tone down,
assuage,
modulate,
circumscribe
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ripen
Definition
to mature
I'm waiting for the apples to ripen.
Synonyms
mature,
season,
develop,
get ready,
burgeon,
come of age,
come to fruition,
grow ripe,
make ripe
in the sense of spell
Definition
a period of time of weather or activity
There has been a spell of dry weather.
Synonyms
period,
time,
term,
stretch,
turn,
course,
season,
patch,
interval,
bout,
stint
in the sense of term
Definition
a period of time
a 12-month term of service
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
while,
season,
space,
interval,
span,
duration,
incumbency
in the sense of time
Definition
at the speed of one's choice
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.
Synonyms
period,
while,
term,
season,
space,
stretch,
spell,
phase,
interval,
span,
period of time,
stint,
duration,
length of time,
time frame,
timeline
in the sense of toughen
Definition
to make or become tough or tougher
laminated and toughened glass
Synonyms
harden,
season,
strengthen,
reinforce,
temper,
fortify,
thicken,
stiffen,
coarsen,
rigidify
in the sense of train
Definition
to instruct (someone) in a skill
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.