redshirt

noun

red·​shirt ˈred-ˌshərt How to pronounce redshirt (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Louisiana native told me that overcoming his native cuisine was half the battle in that redshirt year. John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026 The redshirt junior is already the presumptive Heisman favorite heading into this season, and the Longhorns will be viewed as one of the teams with the shortest odds to win it all. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 That tier is the redshirt, and it is often paid for by families. Daryl G. Jones, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026 East Carolina transfer London Montgomery is a redshirt junior. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for redshirt

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of redshirt was in 1955

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redshirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redshirt. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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