sideline

1 of 2

noun

side·​line ˈsīd-ˌlīn How to pronounce sideline (audio)
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
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.
Noun
In the second quarter, a concerning moment was caught on the Chiefs' sideline. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025 Trump will also meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines this week over promised postwar security guarantees, which Zelenskyy has said are critical to resolving the war with Russia. Mariam Khan, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Washington Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly will be sidelined to begin the season after undergoing surgery on his right thumb. Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 If so, recovery could sideline Burrow for up to three months — essentially the entire regular season. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sideline

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideline was circa 1862

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sideline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideline. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sideline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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