be·side
bi-ˈsīd 
bē-
1
a
: by the side of
walk beside me
a house beside a small lake
b
: in comparison with
potential complications are minor beside the benefits
c
: on a par with
a composition that can be ranked beside that of the masters
2
: not relevant to
but that's beside the point
3
: besides
No one knows beside me.
learning other languages beside French and English
Examples of beside in a Sentence
Preposition
She sat beside him during dinner.
The man beside her was wearing a brown suit and hat.
They were walking beside me.
Stand beside the statue and I'll take your picture.
Their house is beside a small lake.
These problems seem unimportant beside the potential benefits of the new system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Music
july 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2025
Another snap captured Johan holding up his diploma while Klum and Henry smiled beside him.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 7 July 2025
Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
In one shot, five pacers form a half-diamond in front, beside, and behind the central runner.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for beside
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.
Preposition
On a pond shore at a wildlife refuge in southeast Boise, beside the Idaho Shakespeare Festival grounds, recent Timberline High School graduate Ben Gallafent snagged the catch of the day.
—Alex Music
july 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2025
Another snap captured Johan holding up his diploma while Klum and Henry smiled beside him.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 7 July 2025
Adverb
Robert, the rookie, crouched beside and patted Romano on the back.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
In one shot, five pacers form a half-diamond in front, beside, and behind the central runner.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for beside
Cite this Entry
“Beside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beside. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share