redshirt

noun

red·​shirt ˈred-ˌshərt How to pronounce redshirt (audio)
: a college athlete who is kept out of varsity competition for a year in order to extend eligibility
redshirt verb

Examples of redshirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 6-foot-7 Finley joins a quarterback room in Bowling Green that will include 6-foot-6 redshirt sophomore Caden Veltkamp, who backed up Reed last season. Tom Layberger, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Max Rice nailed down a regular spot as a redshirt sophomore and never looked back. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2025 As a redshirt freshman, Joe showed something that Baylor needed. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025 Shade hit a pair of 3-pointers in just four minutes off the bench, and redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy also started 2-for-2 from the field with four points. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for redshirt

Word History

Etymology

from the red jersey commonly worn by such a player in practice scrimmages against the regulars

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of redshirt was in 1955

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redshirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redshirt. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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