sideshow

noun

side·​show ˈsīd-ˌshō How to pronounce sideshow (audio)
1
: a minor show offered in addition to a main exhibition (as of a circus)
2
: an incidental diversion or spectacle

Examples of sideshow in a Sentence

Their disagreement is just a political sideshow when compared to the real issues at hand.
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.
At the end of the day, though, the tax credit is a sideshow. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 Treat Colorado as the dress rehearsal, not the sideshow. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 Blue Nile has gone from a sideshow to a central battleground. — Janine Di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026 Drone footage of the sideshow and officers’ response was posted to the department’s Facebook page. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sideshow

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideshow was in 1846

Rhymes for sideshow

See All Rhymes for sideshow

Browse Nearby Words

side shot
sideshow
side shuffle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sideshow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideshow. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sideshow

noun
side·​show -ˌshō How to pronounce sideshow (audio)
: a small show off to the side offered in addition to a main show (as of a circus)

More from Merriam-Webster on sideshow

Nglish: Translation of sideshow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sideshow

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