Redshirt meaning : An athlete who spends a year not participating in official athletic activities, but does not lose his or her eligibility to participate in following years To place an athlete in a status wherein the athlete will spend a year not participating in official athletic activities, but will not lose his or her eligibility to participate in following years. To take on a status wherein one will spend a year not participating in official athletic activities. To hold a child out of kindergarten for one year in the hope that the child will do better academically and socially.