redshirt

American  

[red-shurt] / ˈrɛdˌʃɜrt /

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.

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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?

Etymology

Origin of redshirt

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

See Examples For:

redshirt

While Waymond Jordan and Miller did most of the damage on the ground, combining for 111 yards, redshirt freshman Riley Wormley was the first USC running back to score.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

Chambliss won his final year of amateur status with an argument based around a medical redshirt, back when he was a Division II player at Ferris State.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Diagnosed with a stress reaction in her left foot, she was forced to medically redshirt and sit out the year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

As a redshirt freshman, he was named defensive most valuable player in a semifinal victory against Alabama.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026

Longstreet appeared in four games as a true freshman, retaining his redshirt year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2026