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

Faé, in his casual white polo shirt and black baseball cap, raised his arms in triumph once Pépé scored and punched his fists in the air on the sideline. — CBS News, 25 June 2026

Unfortunately, none of those opportunities end with me on the sidelines at a World Cup semifinal. — Holly Carter, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Verb

Kikuchi was an All-Star last season but has been sidelined since late April because of a shoulder injury. — Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

The latest ruling sidelines major provisions of the order despite the earlier ruling. — Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 25 June 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