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 players who embraced a redshirt season in 2024-25 have developed into playing crucial minutes, providing toughness off the bench. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026

Texas Tech edge Romello Height Hey, nothing says no redshirts like drafting back-to-back 25-year-olds, right? —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026

Without missing a beat, the redshirt senior snatched Sarah Strong‘s name plate from the far end of the table and thrust it at junior point guard KK Arnold, who immediately understood to swap it with Fudd’s name positioned in front of the seat next to coach Geno Auriemma’s. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026

The redshirt senior has thrown for 5,433 yards with 49 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 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