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

There is not a single player left from the team Jim Larranaga coached before abruptly retiring midway through last season after 14 years on the UM sideline. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025

He was assisted off the field before being carted into the locker room, and returned to the sideline a short time later with his right foot in a protective boot and on crutches. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025

Verb

For his part, Musk told analysts on Tesla’s earnings call last month that the proposal is more about making sure he can’t be sidelined. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025

With Frederique sidelined against SMU, Lucas and O’Connor started at outside corner and played 63 and 59 of Miami’s 73 defensive snaps respectively, according to Pro Football Focus. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 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