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

But as Jackson stepped out of bounds, Oliver let go of Jackson’s jersey and then re-engaged with Jackson, slapping his right arm around the quarterback and tackling Jackson hard to the ground on Baltimore’s sideline. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson works on the sideline against the Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 22, 2024. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Verb

Listen to this article WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s national security adviser on Wednesday sidelined about 160 National Security Council aides, sending them home while the administration reviews staffing and tries to align it with Trump’s agenda. —Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025

But two-thirds of that second line is sidelined with injury. —Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

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