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)

, side·lined, side·lin·ing.

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

"A golfer wants to hit a draw. Well, I can get the ball to draw towards the sideline, then once it gets over to the sideline it usually starts slowing down and starting its descent, it straightens out and then allows it to roll down that sideline."

From BBC

Robinson was excited about running his own team and returning to the pageantry of college football, which in USC’s case featured Traveler, the Trojans’ equine mascot who sprinted along the sideline.

From Los Angeles Times

Damian McKenzie - Barrett's replacement at fly-half - does not always convince at 10 but clearly has big-game mettle, as evidenced by his nerveless match-winning sideline conversion against England.

From BBC

Standing on the sideline, Harbaugh is often side by side with an official near the line of scrimmage and said he tries to voice opinions about officiating on Herbert.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, Herbert doesn’t shy away from physical play, including a career-best 38-yard scramble against the New Orleans Saints that he punctuated with a big collision with safety Tyrann Mathieu on the sideline.

From Los Angeles Times