season

One of the parts of the year, such as spring or summer, with its usual weather.

• Summer is my favorite season.
• The rainy season starts in June.
• Which season do you like best?

Similar words: yeartide, yeartime

Common phrases: rainy season, winter season, dry season

The time of year when a particular activity happens or something is available.

• The football season begins next week.
• Hotels cost more during the peak season.
• Are strawberries in season yet?

How to use it: in season (Peaches are in season now.); out of season (The beach is quiet out of season.)

Similar words: time

Common phrases: football season, holiday season, peak season, season for something

A set of episodes of a television show, usually released or shown during one period.

• I watched the first season last week.
• How many episodes are in this season?
• The new season starts on Friday.

How to use it: season of something (We finished the second season of that comedy.)

Common phrases: first season, season finale, new season, third season

A year considered as one period of growth or life for plants or animals.

• The tree produced fruit after three seasons.
• The population doubled over two seasons.
• These plants can survive for several seasons.

Similar words: year

Common phrases: successive seasons, three seasons

To add salt, herbs, or spices to food to make it taste better.

• Season the soup with salt.
• She seasoned the fish before cooking it.
• Taste the sauce and season it again if needed.

How to use it: season something with something (Season the potatoes with pepper.)

Common phrases: season with salt, season the soup, season to taste

To dry wood or another material so it becomes suitable for use.

• They season the wood before building furniture.
• These oak boards have been seasoned for two years.
• How long should we season this timber?

Similar words: dry, cure

Common phrases: season the timber, season the wood

To make someone used to difficult conditions through practice or experience.

• Long journeys seasoned him to hardship.
• The harsh winter had seasoned the young soldiers.
• Years at sea seasoned her to rough weather.

How to use it: season someone to something (The work seasoned them to harsh conditions.)

Similar words: accustom, harden

Common phrases: season someone to something, season young soldiers