sidearm

1 of 2

noun

side·​arm ˈsīd-ˌärm How to pronounce sidearm (audio)
: a weapon (such as a sword, revolver, or bayonet) worn at the side or in the belt

sidearm

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, using, or being a throw (as in baseball) in which the arm is not raised above the shoulder and the ball is thrown with a sideways sweep of the arm between shoulder and hip
sidearm delivery
a sidearm pass
sidearm adverb

Examples of sidearm in a Sentence

Adjective The pitcher has a sidearm delivery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Stafford dropped his arm slot and slung a sidearm throw to Demarcus Robinson for a 19-yard completion and first down, but followed through into McNeill's helmet. Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 15 Jan. 2024 As a prospect, Penix has come under scrutiny for a sidearm throwing motion without many analogs in recent NFL memory, especially from the left side. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 Participants have been asked not to bring long guns, for example, though sidearms are fine. Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about the 6-3, 216-pound Penix, who suffered two season-ending knee injuries in college and throws with an unusual left-handed sidearm delivery. C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2024 The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback led his team to a Super Bowl victory in February, performing razzle-dazzle sidearm throws and scrambles despite an ankle sprain. Jen Murphy, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2023 During the championship run, Wong turned perhaps the most memorable double play in program history, gathering a ball from Darwin Barney at second base and heaving an acrobatic, sidearm bullet to first base during a game against Cal State Fullerton in Omaha. Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2023 The lefty — who throws with a deceptive sidearm motion — has been a revelation ever since. Mike Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2023 Russell Dahl, 21, fired his Beretta M9 sidearm at an attacker near the aid station. William Branigin, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
Adjective
Herbig threw a sidearm dart while on the run eluding pass rush for a high-degree-of-difficulty first down pass to Owen Kilton earlier in the drive. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2022 As a result, the batters virtually face a left-handed pitcher with close to a sidearm angle. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 2 Apr. 2022 On his fastball, Pérez now uses an over-the-top throwing motion instead of a more sidearm angle. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 28 June 2021 From the left side there is Justin Wilson, who was signed right before spring training and from the right side there is Chad Green, apt at pitching in numerous roles and Darren O’Day, the sidearm right-hander. Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2021 The analytical part of learning how to pitch sidearm appeals to Reinoehl, who is a member of Franklin College chapter of the National College Athlete Honor Society. Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 22 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sidearm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1689, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sidearm was in 1689

Dictionary Entries Near sidearm

Cite this Entry

“Sidearm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidearm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sidearm

1 of 2 adjective
side·​arm
ˈsīd-ˌärm
: done with the arm extending out to the side
a sidearm pitch in baseball
sidearm adverb

sidearm

2 of 2 noun
side·​arm
ˈsīd-ˌärm
: a weapon (as a sword or revolver) worn at the side or in the belt

More from Merriam-Webster on sidearm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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