sideline
sideline Lexical Profile
sideline Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Either of the two lines bounding the longer sides of an athletic playing field or court, or the area immediately outside them where substitutes and coaches sit.
"The coach paced anxiously along the sideline during the final minutes of the championship match."
A position of observing a situation without taking an active part in it (usually used in the plural).
"Instead of watching from the sidelines, several community members volunteered to help organize the charity drive."
An activity, business, or job done in addition to one's main occupation, or a secondary line of merchandise sold alongside a primary product.
"She works as an accountant by day, but she runs a profitable baking business as a sideline."
• verb
To remove a player from participation in a game or sport, typically due to injury or disciplinary action.
"A sprained ankle threatened to sideline the star midfielder for the remainder of the tournament."
To prevent someone from taking an active or influential part in a situation, or to relegate an issue to a position of lesser importance.
"Critics argued that the committee had tried to sideline environmental concerns during the budget negotiations."
• Rhymes for sideline
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 18th century as an English compound of 'side' and 'line', originally referring to a secondary track on a railway or canal before being adopted in sports in the late 19th century.