sidetrack

1 of 2

noun

side·​track ˈsīd-ˌtrak How to pronounce sidetrack (audio)
1
2
: a position or condition of secondary importance to which one may be diverted

sidetrack

2 of 2

verb

sidetracked; sidetracking; sidetracks

transitive verb

1
: to shunt aside (as to a railroad siding)
2
a
: to turn aside from a purpose : deflect
b
: to prevent action on by diversionary tactics
sidetrack an issue

Examples of sidetrack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Even so, the path to his current status as a senior starting defensive tackle at FIU has had its share of sorrow, sidetracks and setbacks. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Before their strike-era sidetrack, Braff and Faison had recapped their way to the midpoint of Scrubs’ eighth and penultimate season. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023 But Becker and Tiriac are aiming for the long-term volley that a career sidetrack could impede. Angela Gaudioso, SPIN, 22 May 2022 The Pym arrow is a nice touch, as is the sidetrack through the Christmas tree lot. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2021 The rest is just a sidetrack, though neither goal will be easy. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2021 One of those sidetracks runs behind the International Trade Center and past the city’s public waterfront facilities Any freight rail train holding on this track blocks all freight railroad services into the main port complex. John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 17 Dec. 2019 The construction of a train station at Brookley would also require an additional $2.5 million to finance the construction of a sidetrack that would connect the main line to it. al, 20 Dec. 2019 The sidetrack to that is that Inge is a German person. Chris Hewitt, Twin Cities, 4 May 2017
Verb
But… there’s a common obstacle people trip over when working with personas: They get sidetracked by the fluff, wasting time and missing the true strategic gold. Renae Gregoire, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Bender: The 29-year-old righty reliever made an immediate impact in 2021 before a pair of injuries — first his hip and then his right elbow — sidetracked his 2022 and kept him out for 2023. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024 Biden campaign call sidetracked by fitness questions...Read more SOUTH CAROLINA BOUND: Nevada GOP Presidential Caucuses wrap up and what's ahead on the campaign trail ... Fox News Staff, Fox News, 9 Feb. 2024 Taking control will ensure you don’t get sidetracked by trivial matters or interference. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024 From there, the Coyotes were sidetracked by 36 of 40 penalty minutes assessed from the end of the second through the third period. Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2024 The proposal had starts, stops and various names over the years, before getting sidetracked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adam Beam, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2023 If your child's vaccination schedule gets sidetracked, don't worry. Parents Editors, Parents, 14 Nov. 2023 The Moon is in your 3rd House of Communications, but any important ideas may get sidetracked when the Moon squares foggy Neptune in your 12th House of the Subconscious. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sidetrack.' 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

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sidetrack was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near sidetrack

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

sidetrack

1 of 2 noun
side·​track ˈsīd-ˌtrak How to pronounce sidetrack (audio)

sidetrack

2 of 2 verb
1
: to transfer from a main railroad line to a siding
2
: to turn aside from a main purpose or use
got sidetracked by all the phone calls

More from Merriam-Webster on sidetrack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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