sideline

1 of 2

noun

side·​line ˈsīd-ˌlīn 

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 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

Noun

The first major announcement of the week came Wednesday, when the OECD’s Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity agreed on the sidelines to crack down on countries that contribute to steel overproduction — a clear shot at Beijing. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

The Michigan State transfer and USC team captain returned to the sideline in street clothes. — Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

The bill was sidelined and left lawmakers shellshocked at the scale of the outcry. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Conklin suffered a wrist injury on his passing hand in that game and remains sidelined indefinitely. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sideline

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

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