1
a
: the right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body
a pain in the side
b(1)
: one of the halves of the animal body on either side of the median plane
(2)
: a cut of meat including that about the ribs of one half of the body
—used chiefly of smoked pork products
c
: one longitudinal half of a hide
2
: a place, space, or direction with respect to a center or to a line of division (as of an aisle, river, or street)
3
a
: one of the longer bounding surfaces or lines of an object especially contrasted with the ends
the side of a barn
b
: a line or surface forming a border or face of an object
a die has six sides
the back side of the moon
c
: either surface of a thin object
one side of a record
right side of the cloth
d
: a bounding line of a geometric figure
side of a triangle
4
a
: the space beside one
stood by my side
b
: an area next to something
—usually used in combination
a poolside interview
5
: a slope (as of a hill) considered as opposed to another slope
the far side of the hill
6
a
: the attitude or activity of one person or group with respect to another : part
there was no malice on my side
b
: a position that is opposite to or contrasted with another
two sides to every question
came down on the side of law and order
c
: a body of partisans or contestants
victory for neither side
d
: team sense 1a
11 players on each side
also
: the players on a baseball team batting in an inning
struck out the side
7
: a line of descent traced through one's parent
grandfather on his mother's side
8
: an aspect or part of something contrasted with some other real or implied aspect or part
the better side of his nature
the sales side of the business
the seasoning is a bit on the heavy side
9
British
: sideways spin imparted to a billiard or snooker ball
10
: a sheet containing the lines and cues for a single theatrical role
11
: a recording of music
12
: a side order or dish
a side of fries
1
a
: situated on the side
side window
b
: of or relating to the side
2
a
: directed toward or from the side
side thrust
side wind
b
: incidental, indirect
side issue
side remark
c
: made on the side
side payment
d
: additional to the main portion
a side order of french fries
sided; siding
1
: to agree with : support
2
: to be side by side with
3
: to set or put aside : clear away
side the dishes
4
: to furnish with sides or siding
side a house
: to take sides : join or form sides
sided with the rebels
chiefly British
: swaggering or arrogant manner : pretentiousness
Examples of side in a Sentence
Noun (1)
will everyone who wants to sign up for volleyball please stand off to this side of the gym?
examined the problem from all sides
our side won, and the club will have a holiday party after all
Adjective
a front and side view of the car
The jacket has side pockets.
Please use the side door.
A side benefit of the drug is that it helps patients relax.
She took on a side project during the summer.
I had a burger with a side order of fries.
I'll have rice as a side dish.
Verb
They just sided their house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
The dual-chamber dirty/clean cube has a shocking 15-liter capacity and the dirty side seals off.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 3 July 2025
The men were just side characters — sort of like the Gilmores’ guys.
—Lindsay MacMillan, People.com, 1 July 2025
Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 5 July 2025
Far from being swayed by political theater, shareholders sided decisively with the evidence.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for side
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Increase understanding of financial tools, including Roth IRAs, compound interest, contributions to retirement as a side job, and employer match programs.
—Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
The dual-chamber dirty/clean cube has a shocking 15-liter capacity and the dirty side seals off.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
Adjective
His children also applauded, and Combs embraced his lawyers before being escorted out of a side door by security officials.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 3 July 2025
The men were just side characters — sort of like the Gilmores’ guys.
—Lindsay MacMillan, People.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
Arrange pineapple slices, mango (flesh side up), pepper (with skin facing up) and onion on a baking pan.
—Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 5 July 2025
Far from being swayed by political theater, shareholders sided decisively with the evidence.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for side
Cite this Entry
“Side.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
side
1 of 3 noun1
a
: the right or left part of the trunk of the body
a pain in the side
stood at her side
b
: the entire right or left half of the animal body
a side of beef
2
: a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line
set it to one side
3
: a surface or line forming a border or face of an object
a cube has six sides
4
: an outer part of a thing considered as facing in a certain direction
the back side of the moon
5
a
: a straight-line segment forming part of the boundary of a geometric figure
side of a square
b
: one of the longer surfaces that form the boundary of a solid
lay the book on its side
c
: either surface of a thin object
one side of a record
6
: a position or part of something viewed as opposite or different from another
my side of the story
try to look on the good side
never saw this side of his personality
7
: a body of contestants
our side won
8
: a line of ancestors traced back from either parent
a grandfather on his mother's side
9
: a side dish ordered separately
a side of fries
side
2 of 3 adjective1
: of, relating to, or located on the side
side window
2
: going toward or coming from the side
side wind
3
: being in addition to something more important : incidental
a side issue
side
3 of 3 verb
sided; siding
1
: to take the same side
sided with our friend in the argument
2
: to put siding on
side a house
Medical Definition
side
noun1
: the right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body
a pain in the side
2
: one of the halves of the animal body on either side of the midsagittal plane
3
: a lateral half or part of an organ or structure
burned on the right side of one leg
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