onside

[ on-sahyd, awn- ]

/ ˈɒnˈsaɪd, ˈɔn- /

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adjective, adverb Sports.

not offside; being within the prescribed line or area at the beginning of or during play or a play.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of onside

First recorded in 1840–50; on + side¹

Words nearby onside

on-season, on second thought, onset, onshore, onshoring, onside, onside kick, on sight, on-site, onslaught, Onslow

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use onside in a sentence

A high school coach whose teams almost never punt and almost always go for onside kicks — and whose innovative approach has yielded enormous success — is now going to test his tactics at the college level.
A high school coach who never punts and loves onside kicks grabs reins of FCS program|Des Bieler|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
The Eagles tabled their proposal for the fourth-and-15 alternative to the onside kick.
NFL rule changes: Modified instant replay, more positions allowed to wear single-digit jerseys|Mark Maske|April 21, 2021|Washington Post
The proposal was aimed at addressing the increasing futility of attempting to recover an onside kick since the NFL put safety-related rule changes into effect on kickoffs before the 2018 season.
NFL rule changes: Modified instant replay, more positions allowed to wear single-digit jerseys|Mark Maske|April 21, 2021|Washington Post
Successful onside kicks have become increasingly rare in the NFL since the league enacted safety-related rule changes on kickoffs before the 2018 season.
NFL to consider fourth-and-15 alternative to onside kick, delaying coach hiring cycle|Mark Maske|March 3, 2021|Washington Post

If Fuller could master onside kicks, she’d be a valuable asset to any NFL team.
The NFL Is Running Out Of Wiggle Room|Sarah Shachat|December 1, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
His most important contribution was recovering an onside kick while playing with the special team.
New York Jets Stun the Haters With 48-28 Win Over Buffalo Bills|Allen Barra|September 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The young men he called his boys must have all agreed that it was very hard to hurt yourself demonstrating an onside kick.
Joe Paterno Must Retire|Buzz Bissinger|September 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The old man was demonstrating an onside kick when he injured his hip.
Joe Paterno Must Retire|Buzz Bissinger|September 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“Onside kicks,” came suddenly from Sid, who had been somewhat quiet.
The Winning Touchdown|Lester Chadwick

British Dictionary definitions for onside

onside

/ (ˌɒnˈsaɪd) /

adjective, adverb

sport (of a player) in a legal position, as when behind the ball or with a required number of opponents between oneself and the opposing team's goal line

adjective

taking one's part or side; working towards the same goal (esp in the phrase get someone onside)Compare offside

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012