redshirting

American

[red-shur-ting] / ˈrɛdˌʃɜr tɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of keeping a high school or college athlete out of varsity competition for one year to develop skills and extend eligibility.
2. the practice of delaying a child from starting kindergarten for one year, believed by some parents to give the child academic, athletic, and social advantages.
  
  academic redshirting;
  Is redshirting common practice at your school?
the practice of quickly killing off a newly introduced character in a TV show or movie.

Etymology

Origin of redshirting

An Americanism dating back to 1970–80; redshirt ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I think the discussions might come up a little bit more after the game,” Skipper said of redshirting.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2025

Graduate student Charlisse Leger-Walker is expected to play next season after redshirting while rehabbing a knee injury suffered in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2025

After redshirting his first season at Sioux Falls, Durfee promptly dominated — producing 13.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 11 games in 2022.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2023

But he didn’t play in either, the first because he was redshirting and the second because he was injured.

From Washington Times • Dec. 28, 2023

UW senior wide receiver Giles Jackson sustained a thumb injury during Wednesday’s practice and could consider redshirting this season, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb confirmed.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023