# linesman

/lˈaɪnzmən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/linesman
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

a sports official who helps the main referee in football by watching the side lines and calling offside or out-of-bounds balls.

For teachers: a match official positioned on the touchline who assists the referee by signalling offsides, throw-ins, corners, and other line-related decisions.

## Examples

- The linesman raises his flag for offside.
- The linesman flagged for a throw-in after the ball crossed the side line near the bench.
- After a disputed goal, replays showed the linesman had kept perfect alignment with the second-last defender, confirming the attacker was marginally onside.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.