English

Noun

linesman ‎(plural linesmen)

1. (soccer) An assistant referee.
   • 2015 November 18, “Steven Pattison: Carlisle United director runs line in FA Youth Cup”, in (Please provide the title of the work):

     A linesman replaced injured referee Rebecca Welch after 50 minutes and with no other official present, qualified referee Pattison, 60, ran the line.

   • 2015 November 13, “Western Sydney Wanderers romp to victory at hapless Melbourne City”, in (Please provide the title of the work):

     As the linesman raised his flag, Neville played on, crossing for Piovaccari to net.

2. (tennis, dated) A male line judge.
3. (ice hockey) An official whose primary task is to watch the blue line and determine when there has been an offside.
4. (American football) An official whose primary task is to determine whether there has been a line of scrimmage violation.
5. A person employed to work on electrical lines; a lineman.

Usage notes

• In soccer, the term assistant referee has replaced linesman in official contexts and is preferred by gender-neutral prescription; linesman remains in common use.
• In tennis, the term linesman is considered dated because not all line judges are male.

Translations

See also

• lineman
• lino

Anagrams

• Lemnians
• melanins