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.
After a month of ramming his 6-foot-7, 325-pound frame into his Kansas football teammates during practices at preseason camp, Kansas redshirt junior offensive tackle Calvin Clements is ready to hit somebody, anybody, wearing an opponent’s jersey. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 Three players are virtual locks to start in Rodriguez, redshirt senior Matt McCoy and redshirt junior Samson Okunlola. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 The drive was set up by an interception by Teeg Slone, a redshirt junior defensive back out of Rocklin High School in Placer County with a stop at Sacramento’s American River College. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 With redshirts no longer a concern, Riley had promised to acclimate as many young players as possible. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for redshirt

See All Rhymes for redshirt

Browse Nearby Words

redshift
redshirt
red-short
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redshirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redshirt. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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