alongside

1 of 2

adverb

along·​side ə-ˈlȯŋ-ˈsīd How to pronounce alongside (audio)
1
: along the side : in parallel position
2
: at the side : close by
a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside

2 of 2

preposition

1
a
: along the side of
the boat docked alongside the pier
b
: beside sense 1
standing alongside me
2
a
: in company with
men she has been working alongsideRichard Halloran
b
: in addition to
a special category alongside the awards it annually presentsHorizon

Examples of alongside in a Sentence

Adverb We waited for the other boat to come alongside. Preposition The children work alongside their parents in the field. Bring the boat alongside the dock. one theory taught alongside the other The town grew up alongside the college.
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.
Adverb
The activists included local teenage girls, some of whom competed alongside or against Hernandez in the past. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025 On a technical level, turning to fellow writers and authors to bounce ideas off, work alongside and share drafts with was a large aspect of the writing process that helped Kimbril. Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
Preposition
And Eggar sang and danced alongside Rex Harrison in Doctor Dolittle (1967), the musical fantasy about a guy who can talk to the animals. Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025 Next spring, Door 11 will enter production on Peaking, a comedy feature set at a remote music festival, where Pella will direct and co-star alongside comedy partner Nikki Howard. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alongside

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alongside was in 1704

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alongside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alongside. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

alongside

1 of 2 adverb
along·​side -ˌsīd How to pronounce alongside (audio)
: along or close at the side : in parallel position
a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside

2 of 2 preposition
: side by side with
especially : parallel to
boats alongside the dock

More from Merriam-Webster on alongside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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