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

Junk fees keep would-be homebuyers who are financially constrained on the sidelines, according to Wachter. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 8 June 2024

When the ball sailed through the uprights, the USC sideline erupted, fans hugged and high-fived and Quebec sensed something wonderful had happened and barked in approval. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024

Verb

That may be one reason why Hayes called in veteran Alex Morgan, who recently returned to training after being sidelined a month with an ankle injury. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024

Lundell played with Verhaeghe and Tkachuk for five games when Bennett was sidelined with injury. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 May 2024

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