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a flat outer surface of an object, especially one that is not the top, the bottom, the front, or the back:
The names of ships are usually painted on their sides.
The window on the right side of the house was open.
Please write on one side of the paper only.
UK I've already written four sides (= pages of writing) for my essay.
Canadian coins have a picture of the British Queen's head on one side.
Please use the side entrance.
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an edge or border of something:
A square has four sides.
There are trees on both sides of the road.
They were surrounded on all sides/on every side by curious children.
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a place next to something:
I have a small table at/by the side of (= next to) my bed.
He stayed at/by her side (= with her) throughout her long illness.
I’ll have a side of onion rings.
The children sat side by side on the sofa watching television.
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a part of something, especially in relation to a real or imagined central line:
He likes to sleep on the right side of the bed.
In Britain, cars drive on the left side of the road.
There is no money on my mother's side (of the family).
I could just see Joan on the far/other side of the room.
Children came running from all sides (= from all directions).
I have a pain in my side.
What side is "Coronation Street" on?
The curtains were swinging from side to side in the breeze.
She bought a side of lamb from the butcher.
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one of two or more opposing teams or groups:
This is a war which neither side can win.
UK Our side (= team) lost again on Saturday.
UK Which/Whose side are you on (= which team are you playing for/supporting)?
Don't be angry with me - I'm on your side (= I want to help you).
My mother never takes sides when my brother and I argue.
My mother always takes my father's side when I argue with him.
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an opinion held in an argument, or a way of considering something:
There are at least two sides to every question.
I've listened to your side of the story, but I still think you were wrong to do what you did.
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a part of a situation, system, etc. that can be considered or dealt with separately:
She takes care of the financial side of things.
Fortunately my boss did see the funny side of the situation.
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a part of someone's character:
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not in or at the centre or main part of something:
We parked the car on a side street/road (= a small road, especially one that joins on to a main road).
I think that's a side issue (= a subject which is separate from the main one) which we should talk about later.
I'd like a side dish of potatoes (= some potatoes on a separate plate).
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a surface of something that is not the top or the bottom, or a surface of a flat object:
Label all four sides of the box.
I painted one side of the boat green to see if we like the color.
The trail leads up the side of the mountain.
Please write on only one side of the paper.
There’s a scratch on the side of my new bookcase.
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an edge or border of something:
A square has four sides.
We rested by the side of the river.
There are trees on both sides of the road.
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a place next to something:
I have a small table by the side of my bed.
I’ll have a side of onion rings.
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a part of something, esp. in relation to a real or imagined central line:
the right/left side
The swimming pool is on the other side of town.
I’m Irish on my mother’s side (= her family is from Ireland).
Children came running from all sides (= from many directions).
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one of two or more opposing groups or people:
This is a war which neither side can win.
Which side are you on (= Whom do you support)?
fig. The other candidate had experience on his side (= as an advantage).
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an opinion held in an argument, or a way of considering something:
There are two sides to every argument.
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a part of someone’s character:
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less important or smaller than the thing it is connected with:
a side issue
We parked on a side street.
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at, on, of, or in the side of something:
a side view
Please use the side entrance.
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to support one person or group rather than another in an argument or war:
Peter always sides with you.
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one of the two or more people or groups who are arguing, discussing, or negotiating something:
Despite the difficulties, the two sides say the direct talks were helpful.
the other/opposite side The other side has legitimate concerns as well.
on both sides of sth Activists on both sides of the gun control issue called the judge's decision important.
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the ideas or opinions of one of the people or groups in an argument, discussion, or negotiation:
sb's side of sth We want the public to hear our side of the story.
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a particular part of a job, system, business, etc.:
Legal requirements are one side of his new role.
the business/commercial/creative side of sth I took the job because I wanted to explore the business side of radio.
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to decide whose opinion or belief you support in an argument:
take sb's side on sth Most Democrats have taken the union's side on this issue.
