/ ˈsiːzn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
any of the four main periods of the year: spring, summer, autumn / fall and winter :
the changing seasons
2.
the dry / rainy / wet ~ a period of the year in tropical countries when it is either very dry or it rains a lot
3.
a period of time during a year when a particular activity happens or is done :
the cricket / hunting / shooting, etc. season
He scored his first goal of the season on Saturday.
The female changes colour during the breeding season .
The hotels are always full during the peak season (= when most people are on holiday / vacation) .
( BrE )
the holiday season
( NAmE )
the tourist season
( NAmE )
the holiday season (= the time of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year)
( BrE )
the festive season (= Christmas and New Year)
—see also close season , high season , low season , off season , the silly season
4.
a period of time in which a play is shown in one place; a series of plays, films / movies or television programmes :
The play opens for a second season in London next week.
a season of films by Alfred Hitchcock
5.
a period of time during one year when a particular style of clothes, hair, etc. is popular and fashionable :
This season's look is soft and romantic.
•
IDIOMS
- in season
- out of season
- season's greetings
■ verb
season sth (with sth) to add salt, pepper, etc. to food in order to give it more flavour :
[ vn ]
Season the lamb with garlic.
[ v ]
Add the mushrooms, and season to taste (= add as much salt, pepper, etc. as you think is necessary) .
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French seson , from Latin satio(n-) sowing, later time of sowing, from the root of serere to sow.