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

Remaining a Bruin will also allow the redshirt junior to spend at least one more season on the same team as his brother Madden, who will be a redshirt freshman quarterback after appearing at the end of one game last season.

From Los Angeles Times

USC announced Tuesday that redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava had re-signed for the upcoming season and is not joining Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane — USC’s two best receivers — in declaring for the 2026 NFL draft.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ve just tried to be more vocal, set an example and hold other people to the standard our coaches have put out for us,” said the 6–foot-6, 315-pound redshirt sophomore out of Ventura.

From Los Angeles Times

James Madison totaled a school-record 20 All-Sun Belt Conference selections this season, including the player of the year in redshirt junior quarterback Alonza Barnett III and the freshman of the year in defensive lineman Sahir West.

From Los Angeles Times

Another first-team all-conference selection with remaining eligibility was redshirt junior running back Wayne Knight.

From Los Angeles Times