the whole side of a ship above the water line, from the bow to the quarter.

Navy .

all the guns that can be fired from one side of a warship.

a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side of a warship.

any strong or comprehensive attack, as by criticism.

Also called broadsheet.

a sheet of paper printed on one or both sides, as for distribution or posting.

any printed advertising circular.

any broad surface or side, as of a house.

Also called broadside ballad. a song, chiefly in 16th- and 17th-century England, written on a topical subject, printed on broadsides, and sung in public, as on a street corner, by a professional balladeer.

with the side, esp. with the broader side, facing toward a given point or object

The truck hit the fence broadside.

in a wide-ranging manner; at random

to attack the President's policies broadside.

to proceed or go broadside.

to fire a broadside or broadsides.

to collide with or run into the side of (a vehicle, object, person, etc.)

We got broadsided on the freeway.

to make concerted verbal attacks on

The President was broadsided by the opposition.