Session vs. Season — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 22, 2023
Session refers to a period devoted to a specific activity or purpose, often in a formal or official context. Season typically refers to one of four parts of year (spring, summer, autumn, winter) or a period characterized by specific weather conditions.
Difference Between Session and Season
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Session implies a set period designated for a specific purpose, activity, or event, often within a formal or institutional setting. It suggests a gathering or a series of gatherings with a defined agenda or goal. Season, on the other hand, represents a division of the year marked by changes in weather, ecology, and the amount of daylight. It also refers to a specific period during which certain activities are most commonly undertaken, like a sports season or a holiday season.
In the context of education and government, session is used to describe the time during which a school, court, or legislative body conducts its regular business. This term emphasizes the continuity and progression of activities within a formal framework. In contrast, Season is often associated with natural cycles and cultural practices. It's tied to annual patterns and traditions, such as the festive season or the growing season for crops.
Session can also refer to a meeting or series of meetings within a conference, symposium, or workshop, highlighting its role in facilitating discussion, learning, or decision-making. Season, in a broader sense, can denote a period in life or history characterized by certain features or events, illustrating its use in describing phases or stages with distinct characteristics.
In entertainment and media, session might denote a recording period for musicians or a specific time allocated for a photo shoot, focusing on creative or productive endeavors in a controlled environment. Season in this domain often refers to a set of episodes of a television show or a series of related performances, indicating a structured release over a specific timeframe.
The term session can also be used more casually to describe any period spent doing a particular activity, like a gaming session or a study session, emphasizing its flexibility in informal contexts. Season is frequently used to describe periods of the year in relation to fashion, food, or festivals, denoting its cultural and social significance.
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Comparison Chart
Time Frame
Defined, often shorter duration
Longer duration, often tied to natural cycles
Context
Formal meetings, activities, or events
Natural periods, cultural or sporting events
Usage
Academic, legal, institutional settings
Cultural, environmental, entertainment contexts
Frequency
Can occur multiple times within a year
Typically annual, aligned with natural patterns
Flexibility
Can be scheduled or impromptu
Generally fixed and predictable
Compare with Definitions
Session
Meeting
A session of Congress was scheduled to discuss the new bill.
Season
Time of Year
Winter is my favorite season.
Session
Therapeutic or Creative Sitting
He had a therapy session today.
Season
Period of Activity
The football season starts in August.
Session
Period of Activity
Her piano practice session lasted two hours.
Season
A Phase or Period
During the season of exams, she studied hard.
Session
Academic Term
The university's fall session begins in September.
Season
Television Series Cycle
The new season of the show premieres next month.
Session
A meeting of an official body, especially a legislature, council, or court of law, to conduct its business
The governor called this week's special session to reconsider the decision
Season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of Earth's orbit around the Sun and Earth's axial tilt relative to the ecliptic plane.
Session
Recording Time
The band's recording session produced three new songs.
Season
A Time Suitable for Something
It's the season for apple picking.
Session
A period devoted to a particular activity
Gym is followed by a training session
Season
Each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun.
Session
The governing body of a Presbyterian Church.
Season
A set or sequence of related television programmes; a series
The first two seasons of the show
Session
A meeting of a legislative or judicial body for the purpose of transacting business.
Season
A period when a female mammal is ready to mate
The bitch can come into season at irregular intervals
Session
A series of such meetings.
Season
Add salt, herbs, pepper, or other spices to (food)
Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper
Session
The term or duration of time that is taken by such a series of meetings.
Season
Make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used
I collect and season most of my wood
Session
The part of a year or of a day during which a school holds classes.
Season
One of the four natural divisions of the year, spring, summer, fall, and winter, in the North and South Temperate zones. Each season, beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, is characterized by specific meteorological or climatic conditions.
Session
A period of time devoted to a specific activity
A recording session at a music studio.
A login session that was disrupted by a power outage.
Season
The two divisions of the year, rainy and dry, in some tropical regions.
Session
A period devoted to a particular activity, e.g. the annual or semiannual periods of a legislative body (that together comprise the legislative term) whose individual meetings are also called sessions.
A training session
"Are we having a recording session?" / "Yes. We've even got some session musicians to provide some brass."
Season
A recurrent period characterized by certain occurrences, occupations, festivities, or crops
The holiday season.
Tomato season.
Session
A meeting of a council, court, school, or legislative body to conduct its business.
This court is now in session.
Season
A suitable, natural, or convenient time
A season for merriment.
Session
(computing) The sequence of interactions between client and server, or between user and system; the period during which a user is logged in or connected.
Logging out or shutting down the computer will end your session.
Season
A period of time
Gone for a season.
Session
(cricket) Any of the three scheduled two hour playing sessions, from the start of play to lunch, from lunch to tea and from tea to the close of play.
Season
To improve or enhance the flavor of (food) by adding salt, spices, herbs, or other flavorings.
Session
(obsolete) The act of sitting, or the state of being seated.
Season
To add zest, piquancy, or interest to
Seasoned the lecture with jokes.
Session
(music) jam session
Season
To treat or dry (lumber, for example) until ready for use; cure.
Session
(education) An academic term
Season
To render competent through trial and experience
A lawyer who had been seasoned by years in the trial courts.
Session
(beer) An extended period of drinking, typically consuming beer with low alcohol content.
Season
To accustom or inure; harden
Troops who had been seasoned in combat.
Session
(music) To hold or participate in a jam session with other musicians.
Season
To moderate; temper.
Session
The act of sitting, or the state of being seated.
So much his ascension into heaven and his session at the right hand of God do import.
But Viven, gathering somewhat of his mood, . . . Leaped from her session on his lap, and stood.
Season
To become usable, competent, or tempered.
Session
The actual sitting of a court, council, legislature, etc., or the actual assembly of the members of such a body, for the transaction of business.
It's fit this royal session do proceed.
Season
Each of the four divisions of a year: spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter
Session
Hence, also, the time, period, or term during which a court, council, legislature, etc., meets daily for business; or, the space of time between the first meeting and the prorogation or adjournment; thus, a session of Parliaments is opened with a speech from the throne, and closed by prorogation. The session of a judicial court is called a term.
It was resolved that the convocation should meet at the beginning of the next session of Parliament.
Season
A part of a year when something particular happens.
Mating season
The rainy season
The football season
Session
A meeting for execution of a group's functions;
It was the opening session of the legislature
Season
A period of the year in which a place is most busy or frequented for business, amusement, etc.
Session
The time during which a school holds classes;
They had to shorten the school term
Season
(cricket) The period over which a series of Test matches are played.
Session
A meeting devoted to a particular activity;
A filming session
A gossip session
Season
(obsolete) That which gives relish; seasoning.
Session
A meeting of spiritualists;
The seance was held in the medium's parlor
Season
A group of episodes of a television or radio program broadcast in regular intervals with a long break between each group, usually with one year between the beginning of each.
The third season of Friends aired from 1996 to 1997.
Season
(archaic) An extended, undefined period of time.
Season
(video games) The full set of downloadable content for a game, which can be purchased with a season pass.
Season
(video games) A fixed period of time in a massively multiplayer online game in which new content (themes, rules, modes, etc.) becomes available, sometimes replacing earlier content.
Season
(transitive) To habituate, accustom, or inure (someone or something) to a particular use, purpose, or circumstance.
To season oneself to a climate
Season
To prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices.
The timber needs to be seasoned.
Season
(intransitive) To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate.
Season
(intransitive) To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance.
The wood has seasoned in the sun.
Season
(transitive) To mingle: to moderate, temper, or qualify by admixture.
Season
(obsolete) To impregnate (literally or figuratively).
Season
(transitive) To flavour food with spices, herbs or salt.
Season
One of the divisions of the year, marked by alterations in the length of day and night, or by distinct conditions of temperature, moisture, etc., caused mainly by the relative position of the earth with respect to the sun. In the north temperate zone, four seasons, namely, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are generally recognized. Some parts of the world have three seasons, - the dry, the rainy, and the cold; other parts have but two, - the dry and the rainy.
The several seasons of the year in their beauty.
Season
Hence, a period of time, especially as regards its fitness for anything contemplated or done; a suitable or convenient time; proper conjuncture; as, the season for planting; the season for rest.
The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs.
Season
A period of time not very long; a while; a time.
Thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.
Season
That which gives relish; seasoning.
You lack the season of all natures, sleep.
Season
To render suitable or appropriate; to prepare; to fit.
He is fit and seasoned for his passage.
Season
To fit for any use by time or habit; to habituate; to accustom; to inure; to ripen; to mature; as, to season one to a climate.
Season
Hence, to prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices; as, to season timber.
Season
To fit for taste; to render palatable; to give zest or relish to; to spice; as, to season food.
Season
Hence, to fit for enjoyment; to render agreeable.
You season still with sports your serious hours.
The proper use of wit is to season conversation.
Season
To qualify by admixture; to moderate; to temper.
Season
To imbue; to tinge or taint.
Season their younger years with prudent and pious principles.
Season
To copulate with; to impregnate.
Season
To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate.
Season
To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance; as, timber seasons in the sun.
Season
To give token; to savor.
Season
A period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field;
He celebrated his 10th season with the ballet company
She always looked forward to the avocado season
Season
One of the natural periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and solstices or atmospheric conditions;
The regular sequence of the seasons
Season
A recurrent time marked by major holidays;
It was the Christmas season
Season
Lend flavor to;
Season the chicken breast after roasting it
Season
Make fit;
This trip will season even the hardiest traveller
Season
Make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate;
She tempered her criticism
Common Curiosities
Can a season refer to more than just weather?
Yes, a season can also denote periods for sports, festivals, or TV shows.
How do seasons affect culture?
Seasons influence cultural events, holidays, and traditional practices.
What is a session in academia?
A session in academia refers to an academic term or semester.
Can season be used metaphorically?
Yes, season can metaphorically describe phases in life or history.
Are sessions time-bound?
Sessions are usually defined by a specific time frame.
What does 'in session' mean?
'In session' means that a formal meeting or activity period is currently underway.
How does a season influence fashion?
Fashion trends often change with the seasons, reflecting weather and cultural norms.
What is a legislative session?
A legislative session is a period when a legislative body conducts its business.
What's a music recording session?
It's a period when musicians record their music in a studio.
Is a session always formal?
While often formal, sessions can also be informal, like study sessions.
Do seasons affect agriculture?
Yes, seasons are crucial for farming cycles and crop growth.
What's a therapy session?
A therapy session is a period of time spent with a therapist for counseling or treatment.
Does season have a specific length?
Seasons typically last about three months, but the length can vary.
Can a session be a single meeting?
Yes, a session can be just one meeting or gathering.
Is season used in sports?
Yes, it refers to the period when specific sports competitions are held.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
