side

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: the right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body
a pain in the side
b(1)
: one of the halves of the animal body on either side of the median plane
(2)
: a cut of meat including that about the ribs of one half of the body
used chiefly of smoked pork products
c
: one longitudinal half of a hide
2
: a place, space, or direction with respect to a center or to a line of division (as of an aisle, river, or street)
3
a
: one of the longer bounding surfaces or lines of an object especially contrasted with the ends
the side of a barn
b
: a line or surface forming a border or face of an object
a die has six sides
the back side of the moon
c
: either surface of a thin object
one side of a record
right side of the cloth
d
: a bounding line of a geometric figure
side of a triangle
4
a
: the space beside one
stood by my side
b
: an area next to something
usually used in combination
a poolside interview
5
: a slope (as of a hill) considered as opposed to another slope
the far side of the hill
6
a
: the attitude or activity of one person or group with respect to another : part
there was no malice on my side
b
: a position that is opposite to or contrasted with another
two sides to every question
came down on the side of law and order
c
: a body of partisans or contestants
victory for neither side
d
: team sense 1a
11 players on each side
also : the players on a baseball team batting in an inning
struck out the side
7
: a line of descent traced through one's parent
grandfather on his mother's side
8
: an aspect or part of something contrasted with some other real or implied aspect or part
the better side of his nature
the sales side of the business
the seasoning is a bit on the heavy side
9
British : sideways spin imparted to a billiard or snooker ball
10
: a sheet containing the lines and cues for a single theatrical role
11
: a recording of music
12
: a side order or dish
a side of fries

side

2 of 4

adjective

1
a
: situated on the side
side window
b
: of or relating to the side
2
a
: directed toward or from the side
side thrust
side wind
b
: incidental, indirect
side issue
side remark
c
: made on the side
side payment
d
: additional to the main portion
a side order of french fries

side

3 of 4

verb

sided; siding

transitive verb

1
: to agree with : support
2
: to be side by side with
3
: to set or put aside : clear away
side the dishes
4
: to furnish with sides or siding
side a house

intransitive verb

: to take sides : join or form sides
sided with the rebels

side

4 of 4

noun (2)

chiefly British
: swaggering or arrogant manner : pretentiousness
Phrases
on the side
1
: in addition to the main portion
2
: in addition to a principal occupation
3
: secretly outside of one's marriage or romantic relationship
seeing another woman on the side
this side of
: short of : almost
an attitude just this side of scandalous

Examples of side in a Sentence

Noun (1) will everyone who wants to sign up for volleyball please stand off to this side of the gym? examined the problem from all sides our side won, and the club will have a holiday party after all Adjective a front and side view of the car The jacket has side pockets. Please use the side door. A side benefit of the drug is that it helps patients relax. She took on a side project during the summer. I had a burger with a side order of fries. I'll have rice as a side dish. Verb They just sided their house.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Multiple 911 callers originally reported this as a vehicle fire on southbound I-71 on the Cincinnati side of the bridge at 3:20 a.m. Cincinnati fire officials said crews found a large outdoor fire at Sawyer Point Park involving the playset area. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024 Sloppy play from both teams, but Houston leads 7-0 thanks to a 98-yard drive in the second quarter, a rare stretch of competence for either side. NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In an era where the traditional 9-to-5 grind is increasingly clashing with the quest for personal fulfillment and flexibility, many are on the lookout for side opportunities that spark joy in the words of Marie Kondo. Chloe Castleberry, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2024 The plushness is a pro for side sleepers, too, because the cushioning contours to cradle their neck, hip, and shoulders. Claudia Fisher, SELF, 27 Sep. 2024
Verb
Nestle the potatoes cut side down into the cheese and butter mixture. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 The High Court sided in large part with Google’s claims and dismissed the lawsuit. Robert Olsen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for side 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English sīde; akin to Old High German sīta side, Old English sīd ample, wide

Noun (2)

obsolete English side proud, boastful

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1585, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of side was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near side

Cite this Entry

“Side.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

side

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: the right or left part of the trunk of the body
a pain in the side
stood at her side
b
: the entire right or left half of the animal body
a side of beef
2
: a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line
set it to one side
3
: a surface or line forming a border or face of an object
a cube has six sides
4
: an outer part of a thing considered as facing in a certain direction
the back side of the moon
5
a
: a straight-line segment forming part of the boundary of a geometric figure
side of a square
b
: one of the longer surfaces that form the boundary of a solid
lay the book on its side
c
: either surface of a thin object
one side of a record
6
: a position or part of something viewed as opposite or different from another
my side of the story
try to look on the good side
never saw this side of his personality
7
: a body of contestants
our side won
8
: a line of ancestors traced back from either parent
a grandfather on his mother's side
9
: a side dish ordered separately
a side of fries

side

2 of 3 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or located on the side
side window
2
: going toward or coming from the side
side wind
3
: being in addition to something more important : incidental
a side issue

side

3 of 3 verb
sided; siding
1
: to take the same side
sided with our friend in the argument
2
: to put siding on
side a house

Medical Definition

side

noun
1
: the right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body
a pain in the side
2
: one of the halves of the animal body on either side of the midsagittal plane
3
: a lateral half or part of an organ or structure
burned on the right side of one leg

More from Merriam-Webster on side

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