alongside

1 of 2

adverb

along·​side ə-ˈlȯŋ-ˈsīd How to pronounce alongside (audio)
Synonyms of alongsidenext
1
: along the side : in parallel position
2
: at the side : close by
a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside

2 of 2

preposition

1
a
: along the side of
the boat docked alongside the pier
b
: beside sense 1
standing alongside me
2
a
: in company with
… men she has been working alongside …—Richard Halloran
b
: in addition to
… a special category alongside the awards it annually presents …—Horizon

Examples of alongside in a Sentence

Adverb We waited for the other boat to come alongside. Preposition The children work alongside their parents in the field. Bring the boat alongside the dock. one theory taught alongside the other The town grew up alongside the college.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Transfer tofu to a platter and serve with cilantro sauce alongside. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026 Alva, wearing a large yellow rain jacket, followed alongside on the road. — Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
Preposition
One of their models examined color alongside diet, wing shape, body size, and other bird traits. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 Battery systems could support those loads alongside renewable generation or other power sources. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alongside

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alongside was in 1704

Phrases Containing alongside

Rhymes for alongside

See All Rhymes for alongside

Browse Nearby Words

alongshore
alongside
alongside of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alongside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alongside. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alongside

1 of 2 adverb
along·​side -ˌsīd How to pronounce alongside (audio)
: along or close at the side : in parallel position
a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside

2 of 2 preposition
: side by side with
especially : parallel to
boats alongside the dock

More from Merriam-Webster on alongside

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alongside

Nglish: Translation of alongside for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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