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 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

Noun

With that being said, though, Xabi Alonso has replaced Carlo Ancelotti on the sidelines; will that change Mbappé's fortunes? —Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025

From the sidelines, Carlisle coached the particulars relentlessly. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Verb

He is currently sidelined due to a shoulder ailment, paving a path for Jones to get first-team reps during mandatory minicamp. —Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025

The decision, while financially efficient, sidelined qualified astronauts, including women, whose bodies didn’t fit the remaining sizes. —Janine MacLachlan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

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

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

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