1. a minor show or attraction that accompanies a main event, especially at a circus or fair
2. something of secondary importance that distracts from the main issue or event
Usage: often used metaphorically

Examples

• The circus featured a sideshow with acrobats and fire-eaters.
• We visited the carnival’s sideshow to see the unusual exhibits.
• The political scandal became a sideshow that overshadowed the real issues.
• Don’t let this minor disagreement become a sideshow to our main goal.
• The media turned the trial into a public sideshow.
• At the county fair, the sideshow drew curious crowds all day long.