Language Research

season · noun C

/ˈsiː.zən/Full view

season (PART OF YEAR)

B1 one of the four periods of the year: spring, summer, fall, or winter

Dictionary example:

I love the changing seasons.

Learner example:

But summer in Poland is as wonderful [a] season as winter! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Slovak)

season (FOR PARTICULAR EVENT)

B1 a period of the year when a particular thing happens

Dictionary examples:

How long does the dry/hurricane/wet season last?

The baseball season lasts from April to October.

Learner example:

Once they had finished, Peter kissed his parents and started his journey [on] foot heading towards the stadium, to play the first game of the season. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

in season

B2 If vegetables or fruit are in season, they are available and ready to eat.

Dictionary example:

Asparagus is in season.

Learner example:

They celebrate Halloween in October when pumpkins are in season, that's why in the decorations they include them very often; most of the people carve the pumpkins and put some lights inside. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

out of season

C1 If vegetables or fruit are out of season, they are not usually available at that time.

Dictionary example:

Strawberries are out of season now.

Learner example:

As our place was famous for fresh sea food, I bought crabs and salmon although they were out of season and expensive. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

out of season

C2 If you go somewhere out of season, you go during a period of the year when few people are there.

Dictionary example:

I prefer to travel out of season.

Learner example:

Some towns [that] are completely dependent on tourism "die" out of season, while others are destroyed because of the excessive emigration of [their] people. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)