What does sidearm mean?
A sidearm is a firearm that is carried at the side of the body, usually in a holster or beneath clothing. The word most often refers to a handgun or pistol carried by military personnel, police officers, security guards, or others whose duties require an accessible weapon. It can also function as a verb, as in a report that an officer was sidearmed before entering a building. The term emphasizes the weapon’s position and intended use rather than a particular technical design, although in practice a sidearm is normally a handgun. In everyday conversation, people may use sidearm and handgun interchangeably, though handgun is the more general category and sidearm is more closely associated with professional or uniformed service.
A firearm carried at the side of the body, especially a handgun or pistol.
"The officer's sidearm remained secured in its holster."
Usually used in military, police, security, and historical contexts.
To equip someone or something with a firearm carried at the side.
"The guards were sidearmed before the demonstration began."
Less common than the noun and typically used in formal or institutional contexts.
The plural is used for multiple firearms carried at the side or for multiple people or objects equipped with them.
"The soldiers checked their sidearms before leaving the barracks."
A sidearm is named for its place on the body: the arm that rests at the side is ready to draw and use it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sidearm come from?
Sidearm is an English compound formed from side and arm, literally suggesting a weapon carried by or on the arm at the side of the body. The word developed in military and nautical usage for an arm that could be drawn from the side, and the firearm sense is now the dominant one. The verb meaning “to equip with a sidearm” is derived from the same compound.
Related word forms
How sidearm is actually used
Sidearm is most common in military, police, security, and historical contexts. In modern civilian use, it often has a formal or professional tone and can refer to a service pistol as well as any firearm carried at the side.
Easily confused with sidearm
A handgun is specifically a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand, whereas a sidearm is any firearm carried at the side, though the term usually refers to a handgun.
A pistol is a type of handgun, especially one with a chamber integral to its barrel; a sidearm describes the carrying position or function rather than the firearm’s specific mechanism.