sideline

1 of 2

noun

side·​line ˈsīd-ˌlīn 

1

: a line at right angles to a goal line or end line and marking a side of a court or field of play for athletic games

2

a

: a line of goods sold in addition to one's principal line

b

: a business or activity pursued in addition to one's regular occupation

3

a

: the space immediately outside the lines along either side of an athletic field or court

b

: a sphere of little or no participation or activity

—usually used in plural

sideline

2 of 2

verb

sidelined; sidelining; sidelines

transitive verb

: to put out of action : put on the sidelines

Examples of sideline in a Sentence

Noun

She makes and sells jewelry as a sideline.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mayfield, Buccaneers teammate Tristan Wirfs and Dallas’ Micah Parsons posed for pictures holding their babies on the NFC sideline. —Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025

As hundreds of college football players prepare to showcase their best selves on the weekend of all-star events, the No. 1 player will be opting to remain on the sidelines. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Verb

Kleber has also been sidelined after fracturing his right foot in the Mavericks’ loss to the Boston Celtics on Jan. 25. —Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025

Miles Heide started for Jared Coleman-Jones, still sidelined with a shoulder injury, and had nine points in a career-high 28 minutes, including a couple clutch baskets in the final minutes. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sideline

noun

side·​line

-ˌlīn

1

: a line marking the side of a playing field or court

2

: a business or job done in addition to one's regular occupation