sideline

1 of 2

noun

side·​line ˈsīd-ˌlīn How to pronounce sideline (audio)
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

sideline

2 of 2

verb

sidelined; sidelining; sidelines

transitive verb

: to put out of action : put on the sidelines

Examples of sideline in a Sentence

Noun She makes and sells jewelry as a sideline.
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.
Noun
The Broncos bench was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as Payton was on the white stripe of the sideline when an NFL official collided with him. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025 Cardell Williams then took the direct snap and raced in untouched for the winner with 9 seconds left, igniting a sideline celebration scene that hit another level when the Hornets held off the Vandals’ Hail Mary toward the end zone. Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Verb
An ankle injury sidelined him for five games this season, but fans don’t seem to be too understanding about McCarthy still learning on the job. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025 Monthly payments have dropped significantly compared to the rates that prevailed in January, creating opportunities for buyers who were previously sidelined by higher borrowing costs. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sideline

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideline was circa 1862

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sideline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideline. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

sideline

noun
side·​line
-ˌlīn
1
: a line marking the side of a playing field or court
2
: a business or job done in addition to one's regular occupation

More from Merriam-Webster on sideline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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