sidebar
Americannoun
-
a typographically distinct section of a page, as in a book or magazine, that amplifies or highlights the main text.
-
a conference between the judge and lawyers out of the presence of the jury.
-
a subordinate or incidental issue, remark, activity, etc.
noun
-
(in a newspaper, website, etc) a short article placed alongside and providing additional information about a longer one
-
any subsidiary or supplementary thing
Etymology
Origin of sidebar
Explanation
A sidebar is a small section of text next to a longer article. A sidebar usually has information that relates to the main story beside it. Sidebar alert: it also means changing the subject in the middle of a conversation. Sidebars began in the printed newspaper world, and they've moved, along with newspapers and other news sources, to the internet. Most professionally-designed web pages include sidebars. In the legal world, a sidebar has a completely different meaning—it's a courtroom conversation between lawyers and the judge that jury members can't hear. The newspaper meaning dates from the mid-20th century.
Vocabulary lists containing sidebar
Journalism
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Reading: Informational - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Monster
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The CTU’s foundations are not a financial sidebar.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026
Virginia, was no sidebar in the world of capital punishment.
From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025
So did the two of you sort of have a sidebar talking about Lövborg?
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025
OpenAI launched Atlas, an AI browser with an AI chat sidebar and an “agent” feature to automate complex tasks like online shopping.
From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025
They look at each other, eyebrows raised, and then Hope gives me a big smile, leaning over to squint at the sidebar.
From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
