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 7, Kansas City Star, 8 Dec. 2025
Pittsburgh had five plays of more than 25 yards, including Rodgers’ 38-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Warren, where the Ravens totally botched their coverage, leading to middle linebacker Roquan Smith yelling out toward the sideline in frustration.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
Their passing game is banged up, as their top receiver, Drake London, remains sidelined, and their offense may end up leaning heavily on Bijan Robinson, their workhorse running back.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideline
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Noun
That second-half image — Peterson saddled on a folding chair, a trainer massaging his leg, assistant coach Jeremy Case pacing the sideline presumably to gather some updates — provided a reminder that in a moment’s notice, this Kansas team will need to be more than Darryn Peterson.
—Sam McDowell December 7, Kansas City Star, 8 Dec. 2025
Pittsburgh had five plays of more than 25 yards, including Rodgers’ 38-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Warren, where the Ravens totally botched their coverage, leading to middle linebacker Roquan Smith yelling out toward the sideline in frustration.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
James sat out Friday night against Boston with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
Their passing game is banged up, as their top receiver, Drake London, remains sidelined, and their offense may end up leaning heavily on Bijan Robinson, their workhorse running back.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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 14 Dec. 2025.
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