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
Examples of sideline in a Sentence
Noun
She makes and sells jewelry as a sideline.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
And there was Staley prowling the sideline on Saturday afternoon at Golden 1 Center in a Sweet 16 showdown with a Southeastern Conference rival, her game face contrasted by what was on her shirt.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The Thunder bench outscored the Knicks’ second unit, 25-13, and Miles McBride, in his first game back from a sports hernia surgery that sidelined him 28 games, suffered an injury and grabbed at his stomach before leaving the floor and going to the locker room in pain.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sideline
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
There were hundreds of recruits and family members in the stands and on the sidelines for the 49ers’ junior day, taking in the practice and meeting with Albin and position coaches.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
And there was Staley prowling the sideline on Saturday afternoon at Golden 1 Center in a Sweet 16 showdown with a Southeastern Conference rival, her game face contrasted by what was on her shirt.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
Ivey was previously sidelined due to a knee injury before the release, too.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The Thunder bench outscored the Knicks’ second unit, 25-13, and Miles McBride, in his first game back from a sports hernia surgery that sidelined him 28 games, suffered an injury and grabbed at his stomach before leaving the floor and going to the locker room in pain.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sideline
Cite this Entry
“Sideline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideline. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
