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

Had Iamaleava, the redshirt sophomore transfer quarterback from Tennessee, thought about what lies ahead, whether with or without UCLA? —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025

Smith benched quarterback Aidan Chiles, who followed him from Oregon State, against the Golden Gophers and gave redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic a shot to start perhaps with an eye toward the future the coach no longer has at Michigan State. —CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025

Sixth-year running back Malik Sherrod and redshirt senior receiver Chase Penry both ended the game with six receptions for 56 yards, while redshirt sophomore tight end Matt Wagner had a game-high 64 receiving yards on four catches. —Idaho Statesman, 29 Nov. 2025

Julian Lewis finished with 161 yards and a touchdown pass, but won’t play this week to retain his redshirt status. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 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