sidebar

noun

side·​bar ˈsīd-ˌbär 

1

a

: a short news story or graphic accompanying and presenting sidelights of a major story

b

: something incidental : sidelight

a sidebar to the essay's central theme

2

: a conference between the judge, the lawyers, and sometimes the parties to a case that the jury does not hear

Examples of sidebar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Deauville Industry Days sidebar, taking place over two days at the festival being held at the French seaside town, will incorporate various talks, panels and sessions. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

The specific idea of a weekly roundup, however, emerged from a sidebar conversation Fitzgerald Mosley had with Travis Tygart, the CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The sidebar returns with four microbudget films, and the rest of the lineup is filled with bold domestic and international titles that just might introduce attendees to their new favorite filmmaker. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026

An abrupt sidebar with Kyle confirms that the reasons are diabolically political. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for sidebar

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar

Legal Definition

sidebar

noun

side·​bar ˈsīd-ˌbär 

: sidebar conference

had failed to request a sidebar before injecting the collateral offense into the trial

—Dockery v. State, 659 So. 2d 219 (1994)

also : the place near or before the bench where a sidebar conference takes place

the judge informed both attorneys…that they…could stand at sidebar while questions were posed

—Commonwealth v. Urena, 632 N.E.2d 1200 (1994)

compare bench, stand

sidebar adjective