side Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
    • they always sat on the right side of the church
    • he never left my side
  2. noun one of two or more contesting groups
    • the Confederate side was prepared to attack
  3. noun either the left or right half of a body
    • he had a pain in his side
  4. noun a surface forming part of the outside of an object
    face.
    • he examined all sides of the crystal
    • dew dripped from the face of the leaf
  5. noun an extended outer surface of an object
    • he turned the box over to examine the bottom side
    • they painted all four sides of the house
  6. noun an aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect)
    • he was on the heavy side
    • he is on the purchasing side of the business
    • it brought out his better side
  7. noun a line segment forming part of the perimeter of a plane figure
    • the hypotenuse of a right triangle is always the longest side
  8. noun a family line of descent
    • he gets his brains from his father's side
  9. noun a lengthwise dressed half of an animal's carcass used for food
    side of meat.
  10. noun an opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute
    position.
    • there are two sides to every question
  11. noun an elevated geological formation
    slope; incline.
    • he climbed the steep slope
    • the house was built on the side of a mountain
  12. noun (sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist
    English.
  13. verb take sides for or against
    • Who are you widing with?
    • I"m siding against the current candidate
  14. adjective located on a side
    • side fences
    • the side porch

WordNet

Side noun
Etymology
AS. side; akin to D. zijde, G. seite, OHG. sita, Icel. sia, Dan. side, Sw. sida; cf. AS. sid large, spacious, Icel. sir long, hanging.
Definitions
  1. The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface; especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field, of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc.
  2. Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this or that side. any part of the surface which can be viewed from one vantage point.
    Looking round on every side beheld A pathless desert. Milton.
  3. (a) One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a side of beef; a side of sole leather. (b) The right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body; as, a pain in the side.
    One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side. John xix. 34.
  4. A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another slope over the ridge.
    Along the side of yon small hill. Milton.
  5. The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another.
    God on our side, doubt not of victory. Shak.
    We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics. Landor.
    Sets the passions on the side of truth. Pope.
  6. A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another.
    To sit upon thy father David's throne, By mother's side thy father. Milton.
  7. Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the bright side of poverty.
Side adjective
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a side, or the sides; being on the side, or toward the side; lateral.
    One mighty squadron with a side wind sped. Dryden.
  2. Hence, indirect; oblique; collateral; incidental; as, a side issue; a side view or remark.
    The law hath no side respect to their persons. Hooker.
  3. AS. sid. Cf Side, n. Long; large; extensive. Obs. or Scot. Shak.
    His gown had side sleeves down to mid leg. Laneham.
Side intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sided; present participle & verbal noun Siding
Definitions
  1. To lean on one side. Obs. Bacon.
  2. To embrace the opinions of one party, or engage in its interest, in opposition to another party; to take sides; as, to side with the ministerial party.
    All side in parties, and begin the attack. Pope.
Side transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be or stand at the side of; to be on the side toward. Obs.
    His blind eye that sided Paridell. Spenser.
  2. To suit; to pair; to match. Obs. Clarendon.
  3. (Shipbuilding) To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.
  4. To furnish with a siding; as, to side a house.

Webster 1913