season
season — verb
1. to add salt, herbs, spices, or other flavourings to food while cooking so that i
to add salt, herbs, spices, or other flavourings to food while cooking so that it tastes fuller and more enjoyable
Indra seasoned the chicken with black pepper and a pinch of salt.
season + noun + with + noun
Before baking the fish, Jisoo seasoned it with lemon juice and garlic.
The soup was lightly seasoned with fresh herbs from the garden.
passive: be seasoned with [ingredient]
Kemi always seasons her stir-fried vegetables with soy sauce and ginger.
Have you seasoned the pasta sauce yet, or should Talia add more spices?
- season with
- season generously
- lightly seasoned
- season to taste
Grammar Patterns
season + noun (food) + with + noun (flavouring)
Common Mistakes
2. to dry freshly cut wood slowly over time — usually by storing it in a covered, o
to dry freshly cut wood slowly over time — usually by storing it in a covered, open-air space — so that it becomes strong enough for building or making furniture
The carpenter seasoned the oak boards for two years before using them.
Freshly cut timber needs to be seasoned properly or it will crack.
passive: needs to be seasoned
Eve learned how to season wood by stacking it in a dry, open shed.
season + wood + by + gerund
If Élise does not season the pine planks, they may bend out of shape.
- season wood
- season timber
- season oak
- seasoned lumber
Grammar Patterns
season + noun (wood)
Usage Note
Subject is usually the wood itself (as a passive construction) or a person working with timber. The process of seasoning wood typically takes months or years of gradual air-drying.
Common Mistakes
3. to coat a metal cooking pan with oil or fat and then heat it, creating a smooth
to coat a metal cooking pan with oil or fat and then heat it, creating a smooth non-stick layer that also stops the metal from rusting
Ziad seasoned his new cast-iron skillet with vegetable oil before frying.
A well-seasoned wok gives the best results for stir-frying vegetables.
adjective form: well-seasoned
Beatriz seasoned the frying pan by heating a thin layer of oil in the oven.
by + gerund: season by heating
To season a new pan, Lakshmi rubs it with oil and bakes it for an hour.
The cast-iron pot needs to be seasoned again because rust has appeared.
- season a pan
- well-seasoned
- season cast iron
- season with oil
- cure
sometimes used interchangeably with 'season' for cookware, but 'cure' is broader and can refer to other material treatments
Grammar Patterns
season + noun (pan) + with + noun (oil)
Usage Note
Most commonly used with cast-iron cookware. The pan must be heated after the oil is applied — simply adding oil without heat does not count as seasoning.
Common Mistakes
season — noun
1. each of the year's four main weather-based divisions, from spring through to win
each of the year's four main weather-based divisions, from spring through to winter
Wren loves the spring season best because the flowers bloom and the air turns warm.
collocation: spring season, winter season, etc.
In Japan the autumn season brings beautiful red and orange leaves to the mountains.
noun phrase: autumn season as subject
Trang's grandfather taught her how the clouds change with each season in their village.
collocation: each season, with each season
The winter season in northern Europe can be very dark and cold for several weeks.
Daichi learned the names of the four seasons during his first English lesson.
countable noun: the four seasons
- spring season
- summer season
- autumn season
- winter season
- the four seasons
- change of season
- quarter
used for the year divided into three-month periods, not for weather (e.g. 'the first quarter of the year')
Usage Note
Often used with the definite article ('the winter season') or as a countable noun with numbers ('the four seasons').
Common Mistakes
2. a yearly period when a specific event or natural process regularly takes place
a yearly period when a specific event or natural process regularly takes place
The harvest season begins in late September when the apples are ready to pick.
noun phrase: harvest season as subject
Rafael catches a cold every year when the flu season arrives in November.
collocation: flu season
Farmers in the region start planting their rice during the rainy season each May.
The mango season in India lasts only a few weeks, so people buy a lot.
collocation: [fruit] season
During the lambing season the farmer checks the fields every few hours at night.
- harvest season
- flu season
- mating season
- planting season
- monsoon season
- breeding season
Usage Note
Typically followed by a noun that names the event (e.g. 'harvest season', 'flu season'). Avoid confusing with sense 1 — this refers to a calendar event period, not a climate period.
Common Mistakes
3. the specific part of the year when the games and competitions of a particular sp
the specific part of the year when the games and competitions of a particular sport are officially played
The baseball season runs from April to October with games almost every day.
collocation: baseball season, football season, etc.
Yael sprained her ankle early in the basketball season and missed six games.
During the off-season Stefan goes to the gym five times a week to build strength.
related term: off-season
The football season attracts large crowds to the stadium every Saturday afternoon.
Karim's broken ankle in the first game of the season ended his team's title hopes.
preposition phrase: in the first game of the season
- baseball season
- football season
- basketball season
- opening of the season
- end of the season
- off-season
- regular season
Usage Note
Frequently appears with the name of the sport as a modifier ('basketball season', 'football season'). Also used with 'off-season' to describe the period when the sport is not played.
4. a time of year when many people take part in a particular activity, celebration,
a time of year when many people take part in a particular activity, celebration, or event outside of their usual daily routine
The holiday season in December is a busy time for restaurants and family gatherings.
collocation: holiday season
Pumpkin farms open their doors to visitors during the autumn festival season in October.
The wedding season in Taiwan peaks between October and December each year.
collocation: wedding season
Restaurants near the beach hire extra staff for the summer tourist season every year.
- holiday season
- tourist season
- wedding season
- festival season
- party season
- summer season
- peak period
focuses on the busiest part of the season
- high season
usually about tourism or business; more commercial in tone
- low season
the quiet period when few people take part in the activity
Usage Note
The activity is named before 'season' — e.g. 'holiday season', 'festival season', 'wedding season'. Distinguish from sense 2 (recurring natural/agricultural events) and sense 3 (sports). This sense is about social or cultural activities people choose to do.
5. one of the numbered sets of episodes that make up a television or radio series,
one of the numbered sets of episodes that make up a television or radio series, usually broadcast over a fixed period
The first season of that detective drama has twelve episodes and a special finale.
ordinal + season: the first season, second season, etc.
Amira watched the entire second season of the fantasy series over a single weekend.
Fans were excited when the streaming service announced a third season of the show.
countable: a third season, a new season
Each season of the cooking competition introduces ten new contestants from different countries.
The final episode of the fourth season left viewers waiting for the next release date.
- first season
- second season
- new season
- final season
- season finale
- season premiere
- series
in British English, 'series' is often used instead of 'season' (e.g. 'the second series')
Usage Note
Almost always used with an ordinal number ('first season', 'second season') or quantifier ('a new season'). Common in streaming and television contexts. Not used for single-episode shows or films.
Common Mistakes
6. a period of the year when a theatre, orchestra, or arts organization presents it
a period of the year when a theatre, orchestra, or arts organization presents its planned series of performances or productions
The National Theatre announced its autumn season with five new plays by local writers.
collocation: autumn season (theatre context)
Gabriela bought tickets for three concerts in the symphony orchestra's winter season.
The opera season features four classic works and one new production by a young composer.
noun phrase: the [genre] season
Small theatres often struggle to fill seats for their entire spring performance season.
- autumn season
- spring season
- concert season
- opera season
- theatre season
- performance season
Usage Note
Typically paired with the time of year ('autumn season', 'spring season') or genre ('opera season', 'concert season') in the context of an organization's programming. Distinguish from sense 5 (TV/radio): this sense refers to live performances scheduled over a calendar period, not numbered episode collections.
Common Mistakes
7. describes fruit or vegetables that are growing naturally at the current time of
describes fruit or vegetables that are growing naturally at the current time of year in the local region, making them fresher and easier to find in shops.
In summer, local strawberries are in season and taste much sweeter than imported ones.
collocation: in season + local produce
The chef at that restaurant only cooks with vegetables that are in season.
Owen picked up some in-season mangoes from the market near his apartment.
attributive use: in-season + noun
When pumpkins are in season, they are cheaper and perfect for making soup.
Élise prefers to buy fruit that is in season because it stays fresh for longer.
- in season
- in-season produce
- seasonal fruit
- local produce
- locally grown
emphasises where the food comes from rather than timing
- out of season
the opposite condition for produce
Grammar Patterns
be + in season
in-season + noun
Common Mistakes
8. the weeks each year during which large numbers of people go on trips away from t
the weeks each year during which large numbers of people go on trips away from their homes, pushing up demand for transport and accommodation.
Hotel prices rise sharply during the tourist season on the Greek islands.
collocation: tourist season / peak season
The travel agent advised Sivan to book his flight before the holiday season began.
Beach restaurants along the coast hire extra staff for the busy summer season.
collocation: busy season / summer season
During the peak season, the museums are crowded with visitors from all over the world.
Hamza found that flights to Japan were cheapest just before the main tourist season started.
- tourist season
- holiday season
- peak season
- summer season
- busy season
- high season
- peak period
specifically the busiest time within a season
- high season
used in the travel industry for the most expensive period
- off-peak period
the quieter, cheaper travel time
- low season
travel industry term for the quiet period
Grammar Patterns
the + [adjective] + season
during + [determiner] + season
Usage Note
Commonly paired with adjectives such as 'busy', 'peak', 'high', or 'tourist' to describe the intensity of travel activity. This sense focuses on travel and tourism demand rather than the general holiday period for families.
Common Mistakes
9. the condition of a female animal during the period when its body is prepared for
the condition of a female animal during the period when its body is prepared for mating and pregnancy, which happens at regular cycles.
The neighbour's female cat is in season and keeps meowing loudly at night.
fixed phrase: be in season (animal mating)
Farmers keep male and female rabbits apart when they are not in season.
The vet recommended spaying the puppy before she goes into her first season.
pattern: go into + season
Nila noticed her dog was in season and kept trying to escape the garden.
- in season
- go into season
- first season
- come into season
Grammar Patterns
be + in season
Usage Note
Used mainly for domestic pets (dogs, cats) and livestock. The phrase 'in heat' is more common in American English for this meaning.
Common Mistakes
10. describes a legally permitted period during which people are allowed to hunt spe
describes a legally permitted period during which people are allowed to hunt specific types of wild animals.
Deer hunting is only allowed during the official season from October to December.
collocation: hunting season / open season
Rodrigo checked the local regulations to confirm that ducks were in season this month.
pattern: be in season (legal hunting)
The forest is closed to visitors during the hunting season for safety reasons.
Wild boar are in season in this region from November through February each year.
- hunting season
- open season
- in season
- deer season
- duck season
- open season
specifically the legal hunting window, often used as a fixed phrase
- closed season
the period when hunting is not permitted
- out of season
hunting is not legal during this time
Grammar Patterns
be + in season
hunting + season
Usage Note
Specific dates and permitted species are set by government wildlife agencies. The opposite is 'out of season' or 'closed season', meaning hunting is not allowed.
Common Mistakes
11. describes fruit or vegetables that do not grow naturally in the local area at th
describes fruit or vegetables that do not grow naturally in the local area at the current time, usually because they must be brought from a different climate or region.
Fresh cherries are out of season in winter, so the supermarket sells frozen ones.
fixed phrase: out of season (produce)
Jason found that out-of-season asparagus cost three times the usual price.
attributive use: out-of-season + noun
The salad tasted bland because the tomatoes were out of season.
Most out-of-season berries are flown in from countries with warmer climates.
When watermelons are out of season, they often lack flavour and cost a lot more.
- out of season
- out-of-season fruit
- out-of-season vegetables
- imported produce
- in season
the opposite condition for produce
Grammar Patterns
be + out of season
out-of-season + noun
Usage Note
The opposite of sense 7. Out-of-season produce is typically imported from other regions and costs more, with lower quality.
Common Mistakes
12. the months each year when relatively few travellers take trips, which often resu
the months each year when relatively few travellers take trips, which often results in cheaper prices and calmer destinations.
Christopher prefers to travel out of season when the beaches are almost empty.
pattern: travel out of season
Airline tickets are much cheaper during the off-peak season in late autumn.
collocation: off-peak season
Many small hotels close during the quiet season because there are not enough guests.
The guide said the park is best visited out of season, when crowds are small.
Harper booked her holiday for the off-peak season to save money on accommodation.
- out of season
- off-peak season
- quiet season
- low season
- low season
travel industry term for the quiet period
- off-peak
general term for a less busy time
- high season
the busy, expensive travel period
- peak season
the busiest time for tourism
Grammar Patterns
be + out of season
out of season (adverbial)
off-peak + season
Common Mistakes
13. the time each year when hunting or fishing is forbidden by law, often to protect
the time each year when hunting or fishing is forbidden by law, often to protect wild animals while they reproduce
Hunters must store their rifles during the close season for deer.
close season for [animal]
The forest ranger patrols the hills every night during the closed season.
Kemi knew the close season had started when she saw the padlock on the gate.
Fishing boats stay in the harbour during the closed season until the ban ends.
fishing banned during closed season
During the close season for game birds, the fields are left quiet and empty.
- close season
- closed season
- during the season
- season for [animal/fish]
- closed season
American English term for the same concept
- close time
less common British alternative
- open season
the period when hunting is legally allowed
Usage Note
Often used as part of the compound noun 'close season' (UK) or 'closed season' (US). Commonly follows the prepositions 'during' and 'for'.
Common Mistakes
Fruits or vegetables are ready to eat because it is the right time of year for them.
Mangoes are in season now, so they taste great.
When do cherries come into season in your area?
out of season
idiomNot available because it is not the right time of year for that food or activity.
We can't buy fresh strawberries because they are out of season.
Traveling out of season is cheaper and less crowded.
season’s greetings
idiomA polite message used to wish someone a happy holiday period, especially around Christmas.
Maya sent a card with "Season's Greetings" written on it.
We received a warm email with season's greetings from our neighbors.
Word family
- seasonaladjectiveB1
- seasonallyadverbB2
- seasoningnounB1
- unseasonableadjectiveC1
- unseasonablyadverbC1
- unseasonaladjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words describe stretches of time, but they differ in length, precision, and context. 'Season' (noun/1) is fixed: the four climate-based divisions of the year — spring, summer, autumn, winter — each lasting about three months. 'Period' is the most neutral and general, covering any length of time (a period of rain, a period of peace). 'Time' is even broader and less defined ('at that time', 'a long time ago'). 'Term' suggests a fixed, often formal duration such as a school term or a prison term, whereas 'phase' emphasises a stage within a larger process (the planning phase). 'Era' implies a much longer epoch, usually decades or centuries (the Victorian era, the digital era). If you mean the four weather-based quarters of the year, use 'season'; for any other length of time, one of the other words will be more accurate.
Common collocations
Nouns
- season ticket
- season finale
- season premiere
- season opener
- off season
- open season
- close season
Adverbs
- seasonally
- all season
- throughout the season
Phrases
- the season of [activity]
- at the height of the season
- the start of the season
- the end of the season
Prepositions
- in season
- out of season
- during the season
- for the season
Etymology
The word 'season' traces back to the Latin noun 'satio', meaning 'the act of sowing or planting seed'. This passed into Old French as 'seson', which referred specifically to the time of year for sowing crops. Over the centuries the meaning broadened: first to any period of the year associated with a particular natural event, and eventually to any named stretch of time — a sporting season, a television season, a holiday season — regardless of agriculture. The link to the original 'sowing' idea is still visible in the verb sense 'to season' food, a metaphorical extension of preparing or treating something at the right time.