alongside

1 of 2

adverb

along·​side ə-ˈlȯŋ-ˈsīd 

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 alongside …

—Richard Halloran

b

: in addition to

… a special category alongside the awards it annually presents …

—Horizon

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

Adverb

Cost savings are possible, but only alongside deliberate changes to team structures, skill mixes and portfolio scope. — Luboslava Uram, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

LeBron James already has played alongside and won alongside the egos of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Preposition

For Jill Little, the director of YPP, the program has been a steadying force in walking alongside the girls through the uncertainty of pregnancy, childbirth and raising a child. — Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

During the decades following World War II, wages for lower-income workers rose alongside the productivity of the American economy. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alongside

• alongside of
• free alongside ship

Rhymes for alongside

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• bisulphide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Kids Definition

alongside

1 of 2 adverb

along·​side -ˌsīd 

: 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