redshirting
Americannoun
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the practice of keeping a high school or college athlete out of varsity competition for one year to develop skills and extend eligibility.
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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?
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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.
“When I first took over, it was, like, every time I talked to you guys, everybody was asking about who’s redshirting, who’s going to the portal?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2025
USC linebacker Eric Gentry disclosed he is recovering from concussions and is redshirting with the hope of playing for the Trojans next season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2024
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
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
