sidelight

[sahyd-lahyt]

noun

1. an item of incidental information.

2. either of two lights light lights carried by a vessel under way at night, a red one on the port side and a green on the starboard.

3. light lights coming from the side.

4. a window or other aperture for light lights in the side of a building, ship, etc.

5. a window at the side of a door or another window.

sidelight

/ ˈsaɪdˌlaɪt /

noun

1. light coming from the side

2. a side window

3. either of the two navigational running lights used by vessels at night, a red light on the port and a green on the starboard

4. either of two small lights on the front of a motor vehicle, used to indicate the presence of the vehicle at night rather than to assist the driver

5. additional or incidental information

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidelight¹

First recorded in 1600–10; side ¹ + light ¹

Example Sentences

Matthiessen considered his nonfiction career a sidelight to his real literary endeavors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s not all one guy outside the screen door with sidelight on him.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A large, high-ceilinged dance studio by day, the room is now nightclub-dark, with multicolored sidelights and silver tinsel wrapped around the ballet barres.

Read more on Seattle Times

After four decades, Chapman's "sidelight" has become an American nightmare.

Read more on Salon

The entry door is framed by a fan light and sidelights.

Read more on Washington Post