offseason

noun

off·​sea·​son ˈȯf-ˌsē-zᵊn 

variants or less commonly off-season

plural offseasons also off-seasons

: a time of suspended or reduced activity

It's cheaper to visit the area during the offseason.

off-season travel

especially : the time during which an athlete is not training or competing

During the offseason, he put on another eight pounds of muscle and when he got to spring training, his Red Sox uniform was too tight.

—Mel Antonen

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery in the off-season, Hardaway says he's ready to put last year's disappointment behind him.

—Marty Burns

an offseason football trade

off-season training

off-season adverb

or less commonly offseason

traveling off-season

Examples of offseason in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Underwood suggested this offseason that Mirković watch highlights of Larry Bird, who retired before Mirković was born. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

The Heat currently are carrying the NBA offseason maximum of 21 players. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

After being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre twice in 2026, Volpe enters the offseason as the in-house favorite to be the Yankees’ starting second baseman next year. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Collier is eager for a full offseason to work on her game without the rehabilitation process dominating her time. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for offseason

• milesian
• partizan
• postseason
• preseason
• unreason
• reason
• season
• seizin
• treason

Kids Definition

off-season

noun

ˈȯf-ˌsēz-ᵊn

: a time when some activity is suspended or reduced