be·sides
bi-ˈsīdz 
bē-
1
: other than, except
no one besides us
Nothing besides a miracle could help them.
2
: together with
a decision that, besides being practical, is morally right
1
: as well : also
serves pizza, pasta, and many other foods besides
2
: moreover, furthermore
I can't go, and besides, I wouldn't go if I could.
Synonyms
Examples of besides in a Sentence
Preposition
She wants to learn other languages besides English and French.
Besides its famous cakes, the bakery also makes delicious breads and cookies.
These salads are delicious besides being healthy.
I'm not ready to get married yet. Besides which, I enjoy living alone.
Adverb
They serve pasta and many other foods besides.
I'm not ready to get married yet. Besides, I enjoy living alone.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, 2 June 2020
The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.
—Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, 31 May 2020
Plus, besides setting stuff on fire, a campfire is also good for warmth, atmosphere, cooking and keeping the bugs at bay.
—Catherine Newman, New York Times, 15 May 2020
Throughout her essay collection, besides sharing these micro-examples of her interior life, Chew-Bose reflects broadly on her coming of age as a first-generation Canadian woman with Indian parents.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 15 May 2020
But besides giving viewers at home a look into their life, Sudano, whose mother happens to be the late Donna Summers, hopes this show will inspire folks to chase their dreams.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 28 Apr. 2020
And besides livestreaming ceremonies, handing off cremated remains to families is a different process under social distancing guidelines.
—Ryan Prior, CNN, 16 Apr. 2020
The novel coronavirus hasn’t been shown to appear in any of these organs—besides of course the lungs, the upper respiratory tract, and sometimes within lymph nodes.
—Douglas Main, National Geographic, 20 Mar. 2020
This directive raises a question: What, besides basic infrastructure to support astronauts, could be worth protecting on the moon?
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 21 May 2020
Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
And besides, Pecker had already decreed that this would be the cover story.
—Lachlan Cartwright, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
But Rist, 61, also considers a bag to be many things besides: a good friend, a portrait of its owner, a universe unto itself and a vessel — similar to the human body.
—Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Goldstein: So what are the consequences, in a commercial environment, of bloat, besides— are there things beyond security?
—Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2024
And, besides, at the doors on each side were long rows of fleece blankets for moviegoers to take off pegs and cuddle up with during the show.
—Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024
However, its skin-loving ingredients are sure to play nice with most skin types — and besides, a little can go a long way.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
There’s much else besides, as our test-drivers have been hard at it this month.
—Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2023
There have been calls for the company to offer a gluten-free version, but longtime Tofurky eaters are attached to the formula — and besides, the wheat gluten in the outer layer would have to be tinkered with as well.
—Lee Powell, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
Preposition
But his death had many contributing factors besides being unable to breath while face down on the ground.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, 2 June 2020
The airline’s crew members and ground services personnel are undergoing detailed health check-ups at regular intervals, besides wearing protective gear at all times.
—Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, 31 May 2020
Plus, besides setting stuff on fire, a campfire is also good for warmth, atmosphere, cooking and keeping the bugs at bay.
—Catherine Newman, New York Times, 15 May 2020
Throughout her essay collection, besides sharing these micro-examples of her interior life, Chew-Bose reflects broadly on her coming of age as a first-generation Canadian woman with Indian parents.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 15 May 2020
But besides giving viewers at home a look into their life, Sudano, whose mother happens to be the late Donna Summers, hopes this show will inspire folks to chase their dreams.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 28 Apr. 2020
And besides livestreaming ceremonies, handing off cremated remains to families is a different process under social distancing guidelines.
—Ryan Prior, CNN, 16 Apr. 2020
The novel coronavirus hasn’t been shown to appear in any of these organs—besides of course the lungs, the upper respiratory tract, and sometimes within lymph nodes.
—Douglas Main, National Geographic, 20 Mar. 2020
This directive raises a question: What, besides basic infrastructure to support astronauts, could be worth protecting on the moon?
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 21 May 2020
Adverb
And besides, sprays aren’t good for the environment.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
And besides, Pecker had already decreed that this would be the cover story.
—Lachlan Cartwright, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
But Rist, 61, also considers a bag to be many things besides: a good friend, a portrait of its owner, a universe unto itself and a vessel — similar to the human body.
—Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Goldstein: So what are the consequences, in a commercial environment, of bloat, besides— are there things beyond security?
—Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2024
And, besides, at the doors on each side were long rows of fleece blankets for moviegoers to take off pegs and cuddle up with during the show.
—Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024
However, its skin-loving ingredients are sure to play nice with most skin types — and besides, a little can go a long way.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
There’s much else besides, as our test-drivers have been hard at it this month.
—Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2023
There have been calls for the company to offer a gluten-free version, but longtime Tofurky eaters are attached to the formula — and besides, the wheat gluten in the outer layer would have to be tinkered with as well.
—Lee Powell, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'besides.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near besides
Cite this Entry
“Besides.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/besides. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
besides
1 of 2 preposition
be·sides
bi-ˈsīdz
1
: except for
no one besides me knows about it
2
: in addition to
besides being useful, it looks good
besides
2 of 2 adverb
: in addition : also
had a big dinner and dessert besides
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share