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

After the play ended along Boise State’s sideline, Curry was caught on camera spitting on edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan. —Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 23 Nov. 2025

Aaron Rodgers headed to the sidelines before the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Bengals, and Jordan Love also briefly left last week's game because of injury. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025

Verb

The most notable absences were on defense, where starting linebacker Tano Letuli and cornerback Chris Johnson were sidelined with injuries. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025

James, playing just his second game after being sidelined by sciatica since training camp, recorded 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes. —Khobi Price, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 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