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

Energy experts and the CEOs of Nordic energy giants Fortum and Statkraft made this point clear on the sidelines of the Eurelectric Power Summit in the Finnish capital this week. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 5 June 2026

Concern grew on the Knicks sideline as star guard Jalen Brunson hobbled off the court after San Antonio forward Harrison Barnes fell into the three-time All-Star’s right knee as a result of a foul. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

Verb

An examination revealed just a Grade 1 strain, giving the Dodgers hope that he won’t be sidelined quite as long as first feared. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 May 2026

Pauley began the season with the Marlins but struggled badly offensively and was demoted earlier this month, before returning to the big league team after Jimenez was sidelined. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 May 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