topside

[ top-sahyd ]

noun

1. the upper side.
2. Usually topsides. Nautical. the outer surface of a hull above the water.
3. the most authoritative position or level.
4. Chiefly British. a cut of beef similar to a U.S. rump roast. Compare silverside ²( def ).
5. British. the top tops or outer side of a round of beef; beef from the outer thigh of a butchered cow.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or located on the topside.
2. of the most authoritative rank.

adverb

1. Also topsides. up on the deck:

   He left the engine room and went topside.

2. to, toward, or at the topside.

topside

/ ˈtɒpˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the uppermost side of anything
2. a lean cut of beef from the thigh containing no bone
3. often plural
   1. the part of a ship's sides above the waterline
   2. the parts of a ship above decks

Word History and Origins

Origin of topside¹

First recorded in 1670–80; top ¹ + side ¹

Example Sentences

“I played a very small piece in a large puzzle,” said Carden, attributing the success to “the guys topside and guys on the bottom who helped make it happen.”

From Seattle Times

He went topside to see the USS Utah capsizing and Japanese planes in the air.

From Seattle Times

The video, also shared to his Instagram, concludes with Smith going topside and taking in the ocean views.

From Los Angeles Times

They also engineered predatory opportunities, introducing spiders to the base of vegetation where insects were sleeping topside.

From New York Times

But her title suggests an unidentified flying object, and — with its topside helicopter-like blades — the sculpture looks ready for a journey aloft.

From New York Times

Related Words

• front
• surface