Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Thrown with or marked by a sideways motion of the arm between shoulder and hip height and relatively parallel to the ground.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A personal weapon normally carried in a holster on the body of a wielder for immediate use.
  • verb To throw a ball with one's arm roughly parallel to the ground.
  • adverb With one's arm roughly parallel to the ground.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a sidearm manner
  • adjective (of pitches) made with the arm moving parallel to the ground

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

side +‎ arm

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word sidearm.

Examples

  • I am happy if the only time I draw my sidearm is at the end of my shift when it is time to unload it and put it back on the armoury shelf. .and I have been using firearms on and off for 22 years now!! on July 27, 2006 at 1: 02 pm | Reply Zebedee billbo - No offense, but in my experience (both from helping train and from “exercises”) & from the “media based knowledge” that I and the rest of the country have seen, the general populace has good cause to have minimal faith in the Police and in particular the Firearms toting side of it.

    CO19 - A Few Good Men « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2006

  • However, I can tell you without equivocation that my favorite sidearm is a Kimber Custom II. 45ACP.

    favorite gun 2009

  • However, I can tell you without equivocation that my favorite sidearm is a Kimber Custom II. 45ACP.

    favorite gun 2009

  • Hey, military uses Italian Berettas for their main sidearm, and the M16 rifle and M240/249 SAW is now made by Faberique Nationale of Belgium (Colt has the contract for the M4 for now).

    Sound Politics: Boeing Ascendant, Airbus Reeling 2006

  • I had what is called a sidearm curve ball—palm down.

    The Neyer/James Guide To Pitchers Bill James Rob Neyer 2004

  • I had what is called a sidearm curve ball—palm down.

    The Neyer/James Guide To Pitchers Bill James Rob Neyer 2004

  • I had what is called a sidearm curve ball—palm down.

    The Neyer/James Guide To Pitchers Bill James Rob Neyer 2004

  • He also had a "sidearm" - police say it was a. 40-caliber handgun - and it wasn't concealed.

    News for InsideNova.com 2009

  • The last ten years of my career my sidearm was a S&W 6906 9mm because it concealed well and gave me lots of firepower.

    Handguns 2009

  • The last ten years of my career my sidearm was a S&W 6906 9mm because it concealed well and gave me lots of firepower.

    Handguns 2009

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • (n): a secondary weapon carried at the side or on a belt, such as pistol, bayonet, sword.

    cf. Sam Browne belt

    January 6, 2009