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

As a result, many private markets investors and corporate buyers – the drivers of global M&A – have spent the past two years sitting on the sidelines instead of transacting. —Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Oh, and a certain former President named Barack Obama and a First Lady named Michelle have come off the sidelines in major ways. —Philip Eliott / Detroit, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Albertus was sidelined with a stress fracture in his left tibia at the time of the trade. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The agency’s chief financial officer has accused him of harassing and sidelining her. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

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