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

As a redshirt freshman, Lindsey completed 63% of his passes for 2,382 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026

Mullins will likely find himself in a role that more naturally suits him as the Huskies’ starting two-guard with Ball, a player who was used in very similar ways offensively playing alongside him, sitting out the year as a medical redshirt. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026

Florida coach Todd Golden gave Rioux the option of playing sparingly as a true freshman or taking a redshirt season and working on his game. —ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Cincinnati added redshirt senior quarterback JC French, formerly of Georgia Southern, through the transfer portal. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026

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