close season: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Sporting, News
Quick answer
What does “close season” mean?
A legally established period during which hunting, fishing, or the killing of certain species is prohibited.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legally established period during which hunting, fishing, or the killing of certain species is prohibited.
A designated period of inactivity, pause, or prohibition in a specific field, such as sports or business.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British/Irish English, 'close season' is the standard term for hunting/fishing prohibition periods and the summer break in football. In American English, 'closed season' is used for wildlife regulation, and 'off-season' is used for sports.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries legal and regulatory connotations in wildlife contexts and is a familiar sporting calendar term. In the US, the equivalent terms are more generic.
Frequency
High frequency in UK sporting and environmental news; low frequency in general US English.
Grammar
How to Use “close season” in a Sentence
close season for [species/sport]close season on [activity]in close seasonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “close season” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The close season for salmon fishing begins on 31st October.
- Clubs cannot sign players outside the transfer windows during the close season.
American English
- The closed season for deer varies by state.
- The NFL off-season is a time for team rebuilding.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might metaphorically refer to a period when certain transactions are not allowed.
Academic
Used in environmental science, wildlife management, and sports studies papers.
Everyday
Common in UK/Irish news about fishing, hunting, and football/sports schedules.
Technical
A precise legal term in wildlife conservation law and sporting regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “close season”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “close season”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close season”
- Using 'close' as an adjective meaning 'near' (e.g., 'the close season is coming' – ambiguous).
- Using 'off-season' in a UK wildlife legal context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, 'close season' is the traditional and standard form, especially in legal and sporting contexts. 'Closed season' is also understood but less common in the UK. In American English, 'closed season' is the standard term for wildlife.
Yes, in British English, it commonly refers to the summer period when football (soccer) leagues are not playing competitive matches, and transfers are regulated.
The direct opposite is 'open season', which means a period when hunting a particular species is permitted.
No, the dates for close seasons are set by national or local authorities and vary depending on the species, location, and purpose (conservation needs).
A legally established period during which hunting, fishing, or the killing of certain species is prohibited.
Close season is usually formal, official, sporting, news in register.
Close season: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊs ˈsiːzn̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊs ˈsiːzn̩/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's open season on... (contrastive idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The season is CLOSED for business (hunting/fishing).
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE (that can be closed off).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common American English equivalent for the British sporting term 'close season'?