Definition & Meaning of "preseason"

What is "preseason"?

Preseason refers to the period before the official start of a sports season, during which teams or individuals engage in practice, training, and exhibition games. It serves as a time to prepare, evaluate players, and test strategies in a less competitive environment. Preseason games are often less intense than regular season games and may not count toward official records or rankings. For teams, it is an opportunity to build team chemistry, assess new players, and fine-tune skills and tactics before the start of the actual season. Preseason is common in many professional sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball.