season

Universal Words 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 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 * (AmE) the tourist season * (AmE) the holiday season (= the time of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year) * (BrE) the festive season (= Christmas) seealsoCLOSESEASON, HIGHSEASON, LOWSEASON, OFFSEASON, THESILLYSEASON 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 1 (of fruit or vegetables) easily available and ready to eat because it is the right time of year for them: Strawberries are now in season. 2 (of a female animal) ready to MATE out of season 1 (of fruit or vegetables) not easily available because it is not the right time of year for them 2 at the times of year when few people go on holiday/vacation: Hotels are cheaper out of season. season's greetings (written) used as a greeting at Christmas verb ~ sth (with sth) to add salt, pepper, etc. to food in order to give it more flavour: [VN] Season the lamb with garlic and rosemary. * [V] Add the mushrooms and onions, and season to taste (= add as much salt, pepper, etc. as you think is necessary).