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
Cost savings are possible, but only alongside deliberate changes to team structures, skill mixes and portfolio scope. — Luboslava Uram, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 LeBron James already has played alongside and won alongside the egos of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Preposition
For many participants, Saturday marks their first opportunity to perform in front of a large audience alongside nationally touring artists. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch. — CNN Money, 31 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 31 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

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