siding

American  

[sahy-ding] / ˈsaɪ dɪŋ /

noun

1. a short railroad track, opening onto a main track at one or both ends, on which one of two meeting trains is switched until the other has passed.

2. any of several varieties of weatherproof facing for frame buildings, composed of pieces attached separately as shingles, plain or shaped boards, or of various units of sheet metal or various types of composition materials.

---

siding British  

/ ˈsaɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. a short stretch of railway track connected to a main line, used for storing rolling stock or to enable trains on the same line to pass

2. a short railway line giving access to the main line for freight from a factory, mine, quarry, etc

3. material attached to the outside of a building to make it weatherproof

---

Other Word Forms

• unsiding adjective

Etymology

Origin of siding

First recorded in 1595–1605; side ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Government forces have been accused of siding with tribal groups despite saying they were intervening to restore order.

From BBC

More hours passed as the loaded train sat on the siding.

From Literature

A line of boxcars on a siding cast a long shadow.

From Literature

The siding is made of wood and not PVC.

From BBC

The demonstrations were over persistent power and water shortages, culminating in the army siding with the demonstrators.

From BBC

Related Words

• cladding
• covering