linesman

noun

lines·​man ˈlīnz-mən How to pronounce linesman (audio)
1
2
: an official who assists a referee (as in football, tennis, or hockey) especially in determining if a ball, puck, or player is out-of-bounds or offside

Examples of linesman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The linesman seemed to raise his flag instead. James Horncastle, New York Times, 24 June 2026 From that pool of nominees, the committee can select a maximum of four male players, two female players, two builders, or one builder and one referee or linesman. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 He was ruled offside by the linesman, but the video assistant referee called for a review. David Close, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 The goal was called offside by a linesman, but was reinstated by VAR review. Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for linesman

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of linesman was in 1883

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Cite this Entry

“Linesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linesman. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

linesman

noun
lines·​man ˈlīnz-mən How to pronounce linesman (audio)
: an official who assists a referee in a game (as football or hockey)
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