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

Ballard, a 6-foot-2 redshirt junior from Westfield, Indiana, appeared to hurt his shoulder after getting hit while releasing a 6-yard pass to starting quarterback Isaiah Marshall on a trick play in the third quarter of the MU game. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026

The redshirt junior went down following a 32-yard run midway through the second quarter with what appeared to be a right knee injury. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

McKenzie, a redshirt junior that transferred from Saginaw Valley State, completed 14-of-21 passes for 173 yards but was picked off twice. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

After alleging that a health issue during his time at Ferris State forced him into having to take a medical redshirt, the NCAA denied his waiver for an additional season. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 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