1-Stop Dictionary Reference

Sidetrack

Acceptable For Game Play - US & UK word lists

This word is acceptable for play in the US & UK dictionaries that are being used in the following games:

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

v. To divert from a main issue or course: I was sidetracked from my work by an unexpected visitor.

v. To delay or block the progress of deliberately: "a bill that would sidetrack food irradiation in this country” ( Alexis Beck).

v. To switch from a main railroad track to a siding.

verb-intransitive. To deviate from a main issue or course.

verb-intransitive. To run into a siding.

n. A railroad siding.

Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

n. A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.

n. Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.

n. A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.

n. An alternate train of thought, issue, topic, or activity, that is a deviation or distraction from the topic at hand or central activity, and secondary or subordinate in importance or effectiveness.

v. To divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.

v. To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject.

v. To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.

v. To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.

the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

v. To transfer to a siding from a main line of track.

v. Hence, fig., to divert or reduce to a position or condition that is relatively secondary or subordinate in activity, importance, effectiveness, or the like; to switch off; to turn aside, as from a purpose.

The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

n. A short line of rails branching off by a switch from the main line of a railroad, and either returning to it or not at the further end, for use in turning out, shifting rolling-stock, etc.; a siding.

To put upon a side-track; shift from the main line of a railroad to a subsidiary one; shunt.

Figuratively, to divert to one side; turn aside from the proper or the practicable course.

To pass to a side-track; come to rest on a siding.

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

v. wander from a direct or straight course

n. a short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling stock or enable trains on the same line to pass

Word Usage

"It is kind of a sidetrack from the usual Cabinet fare, but might prove interesting to many of you."

Verb Form

side-tracking sidetracked sidetracking sidetracks

Hypernym

Words that are more generic or abstract

deviate divert railway railroad railroad track

Form

sidetracked sidetracking

Synonym

Words with the same meaning

digress

Same Context

Words that are found in similar contexts

absolutely no-color finely-wrought backslope forest-land