1
: a line at right angles to a goal line or end line and marking a side of a court or field of play for athletic games
2
a
: a line of goods sold in addition to one's principal line
b
: a business or activity pursued in addition to one's regular occupation
3
a
: the space immediately outside the lines along either side of an athletic field or court
b
: a sphere of little or no participation or activity
—usually used in plural
Examples of sideline in a Sentence
Noun
She makes and sells jewelry as a sideline.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam McDowell December 21, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' move to the coaching booth from the sideline didn't help Dallas' beleaguered defense.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
That limited him in the second half of an exhibition contest against Louisville and sidelined him against Fort Hays State.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideline
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Noun
At one point Sunday, the Chiefs were trailing 2-0 (really), and 29-year-old Mike Edwards, recently signed from the practice squad, occupied a spot in the defensive backfield as 23-year-old Jaden Hicks stood on the sideline and watched.
—Sam McDowell December 21, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' move to the coaching booth from the sideline didn't help Dallas' beleaguered defense.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
Before being sidelined with a concussion for nearly two years in the 2010-11 season, Crosby racked up 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points in just 25 games — good for a pace of two points per game.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
That limited him in the second half of an exhibition contest against Louisville and sidelined him against Fort Hays State.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideline
Cite this Entry
“Sideline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideline. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.
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