sideline

[sahyd-lahyn]

noun

1. a line at the side of something.

2. a business or activity pursued in addition to one's primary business; a second occupation.

3. an additional or auxiliary line of goods.

   a grocery store with a sideline of household furnishings.

4. Sports.

   1. either of the two lines defining the side boundaries of a field or court.

   2. sidelines, the area immediately beyond either sideline, where the substitute players sit.

5. sidelines, the position or point of view taken by a person who observes an activity or situation but does not directly participate in it.

verb (used with object)

sidelined, sidelining 

1. to render incapable of participation, especially in anything involving vigorous, physical action, as a sport.

   An injury to his throwing arm sidelined the quarterback for two weeks.

sideline

/ ˈsaɪdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. sport a line that marks the side boundary of a playing area

2. a subsidiary interest or source of income

3. an auxiliary business activity or line of merchandise

verb

1. to prevent (a player) from taking part in a game

2. to prevent (a person) from pursuing a particular activity, operation, career, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of sideline¹

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95; side ¹ + line ¹

Example Sentences

He immediately signaled toward the bench for a sub and walked gingerly back to the sideline while grabbing toward his right knee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Frieder was forced to watch from the sidelines as the team he had led to the postseason won it all.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He missed the beginning of the season for the first time in his 23-year NBA career because of right sciatica that sidelined him for 14 games.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Lakers played a tribute video last year when Davis was sidelined with an abdominal injury for his first game back after the trade.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All the while I stayed on the sidelines, not once showing up at Macy’s or Best Buy or the Apple Store.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal