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 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
Wilson was targeted just three times, catching two for 26 yards, and was seen yelling on the sideline. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026 Even if the Gulf states overcome their internal divisions and sideline concerns about Houthi activity, Tehran and Washington could refuse to sign on. — Allison Minor, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
The students also demanded changes in the judiciary and urgent investigations in top-level corruption cases that might have been sidelined due to political pressure under Vucic. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 He later was sidelined by a right-shoulder injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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
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