Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

sidelines

[sahyd-lahyn]

Origin

noun

a line at the side of something.

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

an additional or auxiliary line of goods: a grocery store with a sideline of household furnishings.

Sports.

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

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

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)

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.

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Sidelines is always a great word to know.

So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:

a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.

a fool or simpleton; ninny.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Origin:
1685–95, Americanism; side¹ + line¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To sidelines

Collins

World English Dictionary

sidelines (ˈsaɪdˌlaɪnz)

—*pl n*
1.	sport the area immediately outside the playing area, where substitute players sit
2.	the peripheral areas of any region, organization, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

sideline

"lines marking the limits of playing area" (on a football field, etc.), 1862, from side (adj.) + line (q.v.). The fig. sense of "position removed from active participation" is attested from 1934 (because players who are not in the game stand along

EXPAND

the sidelines). The verb meaning "put out of play" is from 1945.

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

sidelines

see on the sidelines.