sidelight

noun side·light \ ˈsīd-ˌlīt \

Definition of sidelight

1 a : light coming or produced from the side

b : incidental light or information

2 : the red light on the port bow or the green light on the starboard bow carried by ships under way at night

See sidelight defined for English-language learners

See sidelight defined for kids

Examples of sidelight in a Sentence

The book includes some amusing sidelights about his childhood.

Recent Examples of sidelight from the Web

One of the more remarkable sidelights to this story is something said by former Browns general manager Mike Lombardi.

— terry pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns brought Doug Pederson back to NFL -- Terry Pluto (video)," 2 Feb. 2018
During a house check at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 28, the caretaker found the front left glass sidelight window was shattered and on the floor.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "West Boca Raton Crime Log: Nov. 22 - Dec. 3," 23 Jan. 2018
Her mother had placed a hat with a wide brim on a wall sidelight.

— jacques kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Harriet Quandt, retired teacher and community volunteer," 31 Oct. 2017
As a sidelight to the game, Sue Bird will continue her pursuit of Ticha Penicheiro for the WNBA's all-time lead in assists.

— john altavilla, courant.com, "Sun Have Been Hot With New Role For Alex Bentley," 7 Aug. 2017
Environmental regulations are hardly the only partisan sidelight in the debate over how to respond to the Zika virus.

— david m. herszenhorn, New York Times, "Obama Chides Congress Over Zika Funding MAY 23, 2016," 24 May 2016
That historical sidelight set the stage for Donaldina Cameron’s life work.

— judy peterson, The Mercury News, "Ming Quong: Once an orphanage now modern treatment refuge," 25 May 2017
As a sidelight, Dr. Sauvage and Dr. Stoddart used their techniques to create molecules that twisted in complicated knots.

— kenneth chang and sewell chan, New York Times, "Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded," 5 Oct. 2016
Modern touches include the pivoting front door with glass sidelights.

— lauren beale, latimes.com, "Tarzana new build gives a contemporary turn to the farmhouse style," 26 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sidelight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sidelight

1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SIDELIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

sidelight

noun

Definition of sidelight for English Language Learners

: a piece of information that is in addition to the main information

Learn More about sidelight

See words that rhyme with sidelight

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sidelight? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

sidelight

Definition of sidelight

Examples of sidelight in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sidelight from the Web

First Known Use of sidelight

SIDELIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

sidelight

Definition of sidelight for English Language Learners

Learn More about sidelight

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

sidelight

Definition of sidelight

Examples of sidelight in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sidelight from the Web

First Known Use of sidelight

SIDELIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

sidelight

Definition of sidelight for English Language Learners

Learn More about sidelight

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes