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

Joe Buck will be on the call for play-by-play with analysis from Troy Aikman and sideline reporting from Lisa Salters. —Mike Darnay, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

Kittle was carted off the field, indicating a serious injury, after he was tackled by safety Marcus Epps at the right sideline. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

The assault on the offensive glass came in the absence of 7-footer Kel’el Ware, who was sidelined the entire trip with a hamstring strain. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026

There was a difference of opinion within the death-investigation team, and the toxicologists’ interpretation was sidelined. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 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

• 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