Sidearm: meaning, definitions and examples

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sidearm

[ ˈsaɪdˌɑːrm ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

baseball

A type of pitch thrown by a pitcher in baseball where the ball is released from the side of the body rather than over the top. It is often used as an off-speed pitch to deceive the batter.

Synonyms

low arm slot pitch, submarine pitch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sidearm	This again refers to the baseball pitching style where the arm is held out to the side rather than over the shoulder. It can create significant lateral movement on the ball. The sidearm pitcher left batsmen floundering with his unorthodox deliveries. Switching to a sidearm technique extended his career by several years.
submarine pitch	This term also relates to baseball and refers to an extreme form of sidearm pitching. The pitcher's arm angle is so low that their knuckles might almost scrape the ground. It's a rare technique often used to throw off batters with low, sweeping throws. The submarine pitcher's delivery was so unusual that many batters struggled to hit his pitches. He learned the submarine pitch after suffering from injuries that prevented him from maintaining a traditional pitching motion.
low arm slot pitch	This phrase is specific to baseball and describes a pitch thrown from a lower arm angle, but not necessarily as low as submarine pitching. It often denotes a unique style that can deceive batters. His low arm slot pitches are very effective against right-handed hitters. As he transitioned to a low arm slot pitch, his strikeout rate improved significantly.

Word

Description / Examples

sidearm

This again refers to the baseball pitching style where the arm is held out to the side rather than over the shoulder. It can create significant lateral movement on the ball.

The sidearm pitcher left batsmen floundering with his unorthodox deliveries.
Switching to a sidearm technique extended his career by several years.

submarine pitch

This term also relates to baseball and refers to an extreme form of sidearm pitching. The pitcher's arm angle is so low that their knuckles might almost scrape the ground. It's a rare technique often used to throw off batters with low, sweeping throws.

The submarine pitcher's delivery was so unusual that many batters struggled to hit his pitches.
He learned the submarine pitch after suffering from injuries that prevented him from maintaining a traditional pitching motion.

low arm slot pitch

This phrase is specific to baseball and describes a pitch thrown from a lower arm angle, but not necessarily as low as submarine pitching. It often denotes a unique style that can deceive batters.

His low arm slot pitches are very effective against right-handed hitters.
As he transitioned to a low arm slot pitch, his strikeout rate improved significantly.

Examples of usage

His sidearm delivery caught the batter off guard.
The pitcher's sidearm motion makes it difficult for batters to anticipate the location of the pitch.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

military

A firearm that is carried at the side or hip of a person, typically used as a secondary weapon.

Synonyms

secondary weapon, side piece.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sidearm	Used to describe a weapon, typically a handgun, that is carried as a secondary weapon to be used when the primary weapon is unavailable or impractical. The officer always had his sidearm ready for emergencies He reached for his sidearm when his rifle ran out of ammo
side piece	This term can often carry a negative connotation and is less commonly used to refer to a weapon. It can also mean a lover who is not the main partner in a relationship, adding to its informal and potentially negative connotation. He jokingly called his old revolver his 'side piece ' In less flattering terms, 'side piece' is used to refer to someone involved in a romantic relationship outside of one's primary partner
secondary weapon	A more technical or formal term used commonly in military and law enforcement contexts. Refers to a backup weapon, usually smaller and more easily accessible. In the field, soldiers are trained to switch to their secondary weapon if the primary one fails The secondary weapon was a compact pistol she kept in her holster

Word

Description / Examples

sidearm

Used to describe a weapon, typically a handgun, that is carried as a secondary weapon to be used when the primary weapon is unavailable or impractical.

The officer always had his sidearm ready for emergencies
He reached for his sidearm when his rifle ran out of ammo

side piece

This term can often carry a negative connotation and is less commonly used to refer to a weapon. It can also mean a lover who is not the main partner in a relationship, adding to its informal and potentially negative connotation.

He jokingly called his old revolver his 'side piece
' In less flattering terms, 'side piece' is used to refer to someone involved in a romantic relationship outside of one's primary partner

secondary weapon

A more technical or formal term used commonly in military and law enforcement contexts. Refers to a backup weapon, usually smaller and more easily accessible.

In the field, soldiers are trained to switch to their secondary weapon if the primary one fails
The secondary weapon was a compact pistol she kept in her holster

Examples of usage

The soldier reached for his sidearm as he entered the building.
Police officers are trained to draw their sidearms in emergency situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "sidearm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arma de mão

🇮🇳 साइडआर्म

🇩🇪 Seitenwaffe

🇮🇩 senjata samping

🇺🇦 додаткова зброя

🇵🇱 broń boczna

🇯🇵 サイドアーム

🇫🇷 arme de poing

🇪🇸 arma secundaria

🇹🇷 yan silah

🇰🇷 사이드암

🇸🇦 سلاح جانبي

🇨🇿 boční zbraň

🇸🇰 bočná zbraň

🇨🇳 侧臂

🇸🇮 stransko orožje

🇮🇸 hliðarávopn

🇰🇿 жанама қару

🇬🇪 გვერდითი იარაღი

🇦🇿 yan silah

🇲🇽 arma secundaria

Etymology

The term 'sidearm' originated in the mid-19th century, combining 'side' and 'arm' to refer to something carried on the side of the body. In baseball, the sidearm pitch became popular as a way to add variation and surprise to a pitcher's repertoire. In military contexts, the sidearm has been a common term for a secondary weapon, usually a handgun carried by soldiers or law enforcement officers.