Word
sidecar
Phoneticsside·car
UK/sˈaɪdkɑː/
Definitions
01motorcycle attachment
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a small, one-wheeled seat attached to the side of a motorcycle for a passenger.
n. a one-wheeled vehicle or compartment attached to the side of a motorcycle to accommodate a passenger or cargo.
“The old motorcycle had a sidecar so the dog could ride along with his owner.”
“Vintage enthusiasts often restore the motorcycle and sidecar as a single unit to maintain the aesthetic of mid-century touring vehicles.”
Synonyms
02software pattern
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a small program that runs next to a main application to help it work better, like a helper.
n. a design pattern where a secondary process or container runs alongside a primary application to provide supporting features like logging or security.
“The developers added a sidecar to the application to handle all the security checks automatically.”
“By deploying a sidecar for service mesh integration, the engineering team decoupled the networking logic from the core business application code.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of microservices and container orchestration like Kubernetes.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: Victor Sokolowicz/The Guardian Tourists can also take tours in Fiat 500s, on Vespas with sidecars, and even in tuk-tuks.” “If there were a metaphor to describe a vehicle for riding through life, ours might be a vintage motorbike with a sidecar rather than a couple’s convertible or the winnebago of a family unit.” Etymology
From side + car.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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