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

Example Sentences

Adjective The pitcher has a sidearm delivery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This week’s sleeper: Right-hander Chase Lee and his funky sidearm delivery has created some momentum for the young reliever going into games. Dallas News, 23 Feb. 2023 The surging Ben Gvir is hailed by modern-day Kahanists as the messenger who makes their ideology palatable to new audiences, a telegenic teddy bear who can brandish his sidearm in an Arab neighborhood at night and banter about it during a cooking spot on a morning news show. Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2022 Don’t throw sidearm. Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Oct. 2022 But the officer never drew his sidearm. The New York Times, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2021 Brass Attacks is a phenomenal aggressive sidearm. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2021 The other Strand exotic in the game is the Final Warning sidearm, which is doing its full damage to red bars, but arguably the two best current Strand weapons are Rufus’ Fury, the raid auto rifle, and The Immortal, the PvP dominating SMG from Trials which is also great in PvE with a Hatchling roll. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Milano harried him into a sidearm fling. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2022 This time, the ultimate highlight wasn’t some no-look pass or gravity-defying sidearm dart through a maze of bodies. Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 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 See More

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 29 May. 2023.

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

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