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

Redshirt years are eliminated and even medical redshirts and waivers strictly limited. — Pj Green july 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

The 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman has improved rapidly since being an early enrollee last season, getting stronger and improving as a route runner. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026

As a redshirt freshman last season, Sayin completed 77 percent of his passes, which was a Big Ten record and the third best mark in NCAA history, and passed for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns to finish fourth in Heisman balloting. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 July 2026

The redshirt junior ranked fourth in the Big 12 among cornerbacks in passes defended (8). — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 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