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

Payton lit into Moss on the sideline, slapping his clipboard, after the cornerback got a bit too handsy with Giants receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025

In Clemson’s latest home game, starting quarterback Cade Klubnik was already on the sidelines due to an injury. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025

Verb

Two-way guard Chris Manon fully participated in practice on Sunday after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain during camp that sidelined him for preseason play. —Khobi Price, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025

The tech guru further elaborated on his argument on X, saying workers should learn from AI, not be sidelined by it. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 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