season Definition

season
noun

1. Any of the four major periods (spring, summer, autumn and winter) into which the year is divided according to changes in weather patterns and other natural phenomena.
2. Any period having particular characteristics.

Example: rainy season
Example: our busy season
3. A period of the year during which a particular sport, activity, etc is played or carried out.

Example: fishing season
Example: holiday season
4. A period during which a particular fruit or vegetable is in plentiful supply.
5. Any particular period of time.

Thesaurus: period, span, spell, term, time, era, interval.

verb seasoned, seasoning

1. To flavour (food) by adding salt, pepper and/or other herbs and spices.
2. To prepare something, especially timber, for use by drying it out.
3. To tone down or temper.
4. To add interest or liveliness to something.

Thesaurus: spice, salt, lace, flavour, enliven.

Derivative: seasoner
noun

Idiom: in season

Said of food, especially fruit and vegetables: readily available, as determined by its growing season.

Said of game animals: legally allowed to be hunted and killed, according to the time of year.

Said of a female animal: ready to mate; on heat.

Idiom: out of season

Said of food, especially fruit and vegetables: not yet available.

Said of game animals: legally not yet to be hunted.

Etymology: 14c: from French seson, from Latin satio a sowing.