sidearm

[sahyd-ahrm]

adverb

1. with a swinging motion of the arm moving to the side of the body at shoulder level or below and nearly parallel to the ground.

   to pitch sidearm.

adjective

1. thrown or performed sidearm.

   a sidearm curve ball; sidearm stroke.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidearm¹

First recorded in 1925–30; side ¹ + arm ¹

Example Sentences

They had agreed there’d be no semiautomatic rifles, Williams told me, so everyone brought a sidearm.

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“He sees the opening but can’t get the punch there in time. A great tennis champion can’t get to the net anymore. A great quarterback has to throw sidearm.”

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In that statement, Nelson said Sarey reached for the officer’s sidearm and grabbed a folding knife clipped to his vest.

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He was shot when the officer, reaching for her stun gun, instead grabbed her sidearm.

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Sexton fired at least 11 rounds from her service sidearm at the car, according to the ruling.

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Related Words

• bayonet 
• blade 
• sword