1
: to or toward the side
stepped aside
2
: away from others or into privacy
pulled him aside
3
: out of the way especially for future use : away
putting aside savings
4
: away from one's thought or consideration
All kidding aside, we really need to get busy.
1
: an utterance not meant to be heard by someone
especially
: an actor's speech heard by the audience but supposedly not by other characters
2
: a comment or discussion that does not relate directly to the main subject being discussed : digression
He frequently interrupted his narrative with amusing asides.
Examples of aside in a Sentence
Adverb
He stepped aside and let her pass.
He threw his coat aside.
She laid the book aside.
He elbowed people aside as he moved through the crowd.
He took her aside to speak to her privately.
Someone grabbed him and pulled him aside.
Noun
She made a joke about the food in a muttered aside to her husband.
The book includes several lengthy asides about the personal lives of scientists involved in the project.
In his speech he mentioned her contributions almost as an aside, despite the fact that she was the one who came up with the idea originally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
But all those accolades aside, Vaughn, who died Jan. 30, stood out due to his respect for and belief in songwriters.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 30 May 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 May 2025
These asides prevent The Last of Us from delving into Ellie’s larger emotional journey of having to rediscover her humanity while she’s overwhelmed by her grief.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
Over two dissents, the justices granted an emergency appeal and set aside rulings by judges in Boston who blocked Trump’s repeal of the parole policy adopted by the Biden administration.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for aside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan, and set aside.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
But all those accolades aside, Vaughn, who died Jan. 30, stood out due to his respect for and belief in songwriters.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 30 May 2025
Noun
Mentioned almost as an aside during jury selection last week, the subject of the suddenly unreachable Victim-3, came up on May 9 in what was supposed to be near formality of a hearing.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 May 2025
These asides prevent The Last of Us from delving into Ellie’s larger emotional journey of having to rediscover her humanity while she’s overwhelmed by her grief.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Preposition
Torrington city officials appealed the arbitration decision to the Superior Court in Torrington, where a judge set aside the arbitrator’s decision and ordered that a new arbitration take place, Brignole said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
Over two dissents, the justices granted an emergency appeal and set aside rulings by judges in Boston who blocked Trump’s repeal of the parole policy adopted by the Biden administration.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for aside
Cite this Entry
“Aside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aside. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aside
2 of 2 noun
: words meant not to be heard by someone
especially
: an actor's words supposedly not heard by others on the stage
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