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

Two plays later, Barnett connected with his redshirt freshman tight end for the win. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026

Fifita broke onto the scene in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, and he was voted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year after throwing for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Time will also tell with Solo Ball, now that the medical redshirt no longer exists with the five-in-five rule in effect. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

After one season at Colorado and two at Kansas State, former Derby High School standout Dylan Edwards is more than halfway through a productive redshirt junior campaign at Kansas. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 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