SIDETRACK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sidetrack mean? 

• SIDETRACK (noun)
  The noun SIDETRACK has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: SIDETRACK used as a noun is very rare.

• SIDETRACK (verb)
  The verb SIDETRACK has 1 sense:

1. wander from a direct or straight course

  Familiarity information: SIDETRACK used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SIDETRACK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

railroad siding; sidetrack; siding; turnout

Hypernyms ("sidetrack" is a kind of...):

railroad; railroad track; railway (a line of track providing a runway for wheels)

• SIDETRACK (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they sidetrack    ... he / she / it sidetracks   
Past simple: sidetracked   
Past participle: sidetracked   
-ing form: sidetracking   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Wander from a direct or straight course

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

depart; digress; sidetrack; straggle

Hypernyms (to "sidetrack" is one way to...):

deviate; divert (turn aside; turn away from)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP