redshirt

noun

red·​shirt ˈred-ˌshərt 

: a college athlete who is kept out of varsity competition for a year in order to extend eligibility

redshirt verb

Examples of redshirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Former top recruits Roderick Kearney, a stout (6-4, 307) redshirt sophomore able to play guard and center, and towering redshirt freshman tackle Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 336) will push for a spot in the rotation. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025

Now, Underwood has the inside track to win the Wolverines’ starting quarterback job as a freshman this fall, as he’s favored in a battle with Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis and new ECU transfer Jake Garcia, who signed Monday. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 17 June 2025

Air Force redshirt freshman Connor Irons is a preferred walk-on. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Smith played in four games for the Gators as a freshman last season, which qualified him for a redshirt. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the red jersey commonly worn by such a player in practice scrimmages against the regulars

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for redshirt

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt