redshirt

[red-shurt]

noun

1. 1. a high school or college athlete kept out of varsity competition for one year to develop skills and extend eligibility.

   2. a child held back from starting kindergarten for one year, the practice of which is believed by some parents to give the child academic, athletic, and social advantages.

2. a character in a TV show or movie who dies soon after being first introduced.

   She's a redshirt who won’t make it to the next scene.

verb (used with object)

1. 1. to withdraw (an athlete) from varsity competition for one year.

   2. to delay (a child) from starting kindergarten for one year.

      They redshirt their kids because they think it gives them a competitive edge.

2. to quickly kill off (a character) in a TV show or movie.

   That guard is totally going to be redshirted in the next five minutes.

verb (used without object)

1. 1. (of an athlete) to withdraw from varsity competition for one year.

      He redshirted in 2010, only to come back faster and stronger the following season.

   2. to delay a child from starting kindergarten for one year.

      Would you redshirt if your kid’s preschool teacher recommended it?

Word History and Origins

Origin of redshirt¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55 for redshirt def. 1, from the red shirts worn in practice by such athletes; in redshirt def. 2, the term is a reference to the original Star Trek series (1966–69), in which characters in red shirts, usually security personnel or engineers, were often killed off as a plot device

Example Sentences

Then last week, as USC’s secondary unraveled in the loss to Illinois, redshirt senior DeCarlos Nicholson was in and out of the lineup with what appeared to be a nagging hamstring.

From Los Angeles Times

Across from him, redshirt freshman Marcelles Williams has started the last three games, but hasn’t by any means run away with the job.

From Los Angeles Times

Once a player participates in a fifth game, he can no longer redshirt.

From Los Angeles Times

As of last weekend, three Virginia Tech players had reportedly entered the transfer portal and two had decided to redshirt.

From Los Angeles Times

Those innovations accelerated at Oklahoma, where, as offensive coordinator, he was fortunate to inherit redshirt freshman Mark Andrews in 2015.

From Los Angeles Times