redshirt
📖 Definitions
noun
A college athlete who practices with the team, but does not take part in official games.
verb tr., intr.
1. To extend eligibility by a year by making an athlete practice, but not participate, in official games.
2. To delay enrolling a child by a year to avoid their being one of the youngest in the class.
💬 Usage Examples
“‘Nothing new.’ John shrugged. ‘School’s going well, football, too.’ ‘He’s a redshirt this year, isn’t he?’ ‘He is. It’ll give him an extra year of eligibility.’” Karen Kingsbury; A Time to Embrace; Thomas Nelson; 2010. “My own son was born in August, so he is a prime candidate for redshirting. ...
We’re not going to be holding him back, though.” Leah McLaren; Holding Children Back Is Not the Right Start; The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada); Sep 11, 2015.