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

Slower housing turnover and higher borrowing costs have kept some customers on the sidelines. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025

Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett Set For Five-Round Clash In Miami Chandler had initially sat on the sidelines, patiently waiting for McGregor to return. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

Verb

Despite losing the starting role to Russell Wilson, Fields started the season after Wilson was sidelined after re-aggravating an injury. —Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025

The days of appeasing regimes that are hostile to the United States, coddling dictators, and sidelining our national security interests are over. —David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 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