plural sides
1
: a place, space, or direction that is away from or beyond the center of something
The army was attacked from all sides.
the right-hand side of the street
the opposite side of the room
Move over. This is my side of the bed.
—often used with on or toYou have some dirt on the side of your face.
The car was hit on the driver's side.
They live on the other side of town.
The cabins are on the east side of the lake.
Guards stood on either side of the gate.
The army was surrounded on every side.
He sat on the side [=edge] of the bed.
The statue is leaning to the side.
The dog tilted its head to one side.
Pull over to the side of the road.
2
a
: an outer surface or part of something
The box says, "THIS SIDE UP."
—often + ofthe dark side of the moon
You should season both sides of the steak before you grill it.
b
: one of the surfaces of an object that is not the front, back, top, or bottom
—often + of
Nutritional information can be found on the side of the box.
Red cloth decorated the front and sides of the platform.
The side of the car was badly dented.
c
: one of the two surfaces of a thin object
Flip the record over and play the other side.
—often + ofShe wrote on both sides of the paper.
Look on the back side of the note.
3
: a line that forms part of a geometric shape
A square has four sides.
: a surface that forms part of a geometric object
A cube has six sides.
4
: one of the slopes of a hill or mountain
—often + of
the steep side of the hill
They built a house on the side of a mountain.
5
a
: the right or left part of your body
She likes to sleep on her right side.
: the right or left part of your body from your shoulder to your hip
I have a pain in my left side.
We laughed so much that our sides hurt.
b
: the place directly to the right or left of someone
—usually singular
I stood at/by her side as she spoke to reporters.
I was standing on her left side.
She set/put the book to the/one side and looked out the window.
—often used figurativelyHis wife stood at/by his side [=remained loyal to him] throughout the scandal.
Promise me that you will not leave my side. [=abandon me]
6
: one of two or more opinions, positions, etc., that disagree with each other
He listened to both sides of the argument.
My side [=version] of the story is different from his.
She has since changed sides on that issue.
You are both my friends, so I don't want to choose/pick/take sides. [=support one person and not the other]
Are you on my side or his? [=do you support me or him?]
Whose side are you on, anyway?
People on both sides of the dispute [=people who support one position and people who support the other position] agree that changes are necessary.
7
: one of the two or more people or groups that are involved in an argument, war, etc.
All sides agreed on the treaty.
Each side accuses the other of delaying progress.
8
a
: a sports team
There are 11 players on each side.
Our side won the game.
(Brit) a football side
We need to choose/pick sides [=to decide which players will be on each team] before we start playing.
b
baseball
: the players on a team who bat in an inning
—usually singular
The pitcher struck out the side [=struck out three batters] in the first inning.
9
a
: a particular part or feature of something that is opposite to or different from another part or feature
There are good/positive and bad/negative sides to owning your own business.
—often + ofHe's learning about the sales side of the business.
She kept her side of the bargain/deal. [=she did what she agreed to do]
b
—used in phrases like on the large side, on the heavy side, etc., to describe someone or something as somewhat heavy, large, etc.
She has always been a little on the heavy side. [=has always been somewhat heavy]
These pants are on the tight side. [=are a little tight]
The sauce is a bit on the spicy side. [=is a bit spicy]
Your boyfriend is on the young side for you, isn't he?
10
a
: a part of someone's personality that is opposite or different from another part
I have never seen this side of you before.
He is in touch with his feminine side.
b
—used in phrases like be/get on someone's good/bad side and be/get on the right/wrong side of someone to talk about doing things that cause someone to like you or dislike you
Trust me. You don't want to get on his bad side. [=you don't want to make him annoyed or angry]
She tries to keep/stay on her boss's good side by finishing all of her work on time.
If you get on the wrong side of him [=if you make him annoyed or angry] he can be very mean.
11
: the ancestors or relatives of your mother or your father
She gets her red hair from her mother's side.
Both sides of his family are Irish.
my grandfather on my father's side [=my father's father]
12
US
: a small amount of food that is ordered in addition to the main meal
—often + of
I ordered a side of fries with my hamburger.
13
: one of the two halves of an animal that is eaten as food
—usually + of
a side of bacon/pork/beef
14
chiefly British
: a page of writing on one side of a piece of paper
I wrote two sides in response to the question.
15
British, informal + old-fashioned
: a television channel
—usually singular
What's on the other side?
always used before a noun
1
: of or located on the side of something
a front and side view of the car
The jacket has side pockets.
Please use the side door/entrance.
2
: happening or done in addition to the main or most important thing
A side benefit of the drug is that it helps patients relax.
She took on a side project/job during the summer.
a side remark/issue
3
: in addition to the main meal
a side salad
I had a burger with a side order of fries.
I'll have rice as a side dish.
sides; sided; siding
US
: to cover the outside walls of (a building) with long pieces of material (called siding)
They just sided their house.
British, informal
: an unpleasantly proud attitude or way of behaving
He was a war hero and yet there was no side to him. [=he was not arrogant or pretentious]
Cite this Entry
“Side.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/side. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
