sidebar

A sidebar is a secondary piece of content that accompanies the main article or page, typically separated by a visual cue such as a border, shading, or a smaller column. It is designed to provide complementary information without interrupting the flow of the main text.

In print publishing, sidebars are common in newspapers and magazines. They may present statistics, timelines, glossaries, case studies, anecdotes, or expert quotes. They are often boxed or shaded to differentiate from the main story and may be read independently.

In digital media, a sidebar is a column on a webpage that holds navigation links, search boxes, recent posts, categories, ads, or other widgets. Sidebars can be fixed or collapsible, and their placement and content influence usability and readability. Responsive design often moves sidebar content into the main flow on smaller screens.

Other uses include the legal term sidebar, a private conference between a judge and attorneys at the bench during a trial, and a broader sense of ancillary commentary in writing. The term derives from the side of a page or screen.