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

Trent Mosley itched and itched, the discomfort of standing on the sideline — not his foot injury that held him out of action since Aug. 22 — weighing on the senior receiver.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For decades, Americans with low to moderate incomes largely sat on the sidelines as higher earners multiplied their wealth in a series of bull markets dating back to 1982.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Economic sentiment remained grim but held steady near recent levels in October as a federal shutdown hampered government functions and sidelined thousands of workers, according to the University of Michigan’s latest consumer survey.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some interpret this to mean that investors are still largely on the sidelines, Lundin said, adding that he agrees with that “to some extent.”

Read more on MarketWatch

Those ejected can be sidelined for one to three games depending on the officials’ report.

Read more on Los Angeles Times