Location:
* By the side of: This is the most common meaning. It refers to being physically located next to something or someone.
* Parallel to: It can also mean being positioned parallel to something.
* In close proximity: Sometimes it means being very close, but not necessarily touching.
Association:
* In conjunction with: This means working together or simultaneously with something else.
* In addition to: It can also mean happening or being done at the same time as something else.
Examples:
* Location: "The car was parked alongside the curb." "The two rivers flow alongside each other."
* Association: "The new program will be launched alongside a marketing campaign." "I studied alongside my brother."
It's important to consider the context of the sentence to understand the precise meaning of "alongside".