1
a
: in the sky : overhead
the clouds above
b
: in or to heaven
2
a
: in or to a higher place
b
: higher on the same page or on a preceding page
except as stated above
c
: upstairs
d
: above zero
10 degrees above
3
: in or to a higher rank or number
30 and above
4
archaic
: in addition : besides
5
: upstage
1
a
: in or to a higher place than : over
a room above the store
b
: upriver of
anchored about 10 miles above the city
2
a
: superior to (as in rank, quality, or degree)
A sergeant is above a corporal.
b
: out of reach of
above suspicion
c
: in preference to
puts his child's needs above his own needs
d
: too proud or honorable to stoop to
not above taking undue credit
3
: exceeding in number, quantity, or size : more than
men above 50 years old
4
: as distinct from and in addition to
heard the whistle above the roar of the crowd
plural above
1
a
: something that is above
Select one of the above.
b
: a person whose name is written above
Contact any of the above for more information.
2
a
: a higher authority
b
: heaven
Using Above as an Adjective or Noun: Usage Guide
Although still objected to by some, the use of above as a noun to mean "something that is above"
none of the above
the above is Theseus's opinion
—
William Blake
William Blake
and as an adjective
without the above reserve
—O. W. Holmes †1935
O. W. Holmes †1935
I was brought up on the above words
—Viscount Montgomery
Viscount Montgomery
has been long established as standard.
: written or discussed higher on the same page or on a preceding page
Contact me at the above address.
Synonyms of above
Examples of above in a Sentence
Adverb
up above and down below
Temperatures range from 5 below to 5 above.
Preposition
He raised his arms above his head.
They hung a mirror above the mantel.
We rented an apartment above a restaurant.
Temperatures were above average all week.
men above 50 years old
She values her private time above her fame.
He puts his child's needs above his own.
Noun
in her dying days she was supposedly visited by an angel from above
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Just as with Boeing above, investors armed with Core Earnings insights get a more accurate picture of the real profitability of Broadridge.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026
Skies will then become mostly sunny, allowing temperatures to climb to near 84 degrees, which is above the metro’s average of 76 degrees for this time of year.
—Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 11 May 2026
In the graphic above, parts of Georgia and the Carolinas even have explicit ice-storm warnings posted.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
This is the second time in the last 30 years the Pirates have been an above-average offense.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for above
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
The group of players is not that surprising, considering the Bucks have the 10th pick in this year’s draft, and most of the names above are expected to get taken in the top 20.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Just as with Boeing above, investors armed with Core Earnings insights get a more accurate picture of the real profitability of Broadridge.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Preposition
Danaïde, a bronze head dating to 1913, carried a $100 million estimate upon request going into the sale, placing it well above the artist’s current auction record.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026
Skies will then become mostly sunny, allowing temperatures to climb to near 84 degrees, which is above the metro’s average of 76 degrees for this time of year.
—Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Noun
While the East shivers for much of the week, a heat wave in the West is forecast to bring well-above average or even record-breaking temperatures, with high temperatures soaring into the 110s in the valleys of Southern California and Arizona.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 11 May 2026
In the graphic above, parts of Georgia and the Carolinas even have explicit ice-storm warnings posted.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
That water year actually saw below-average rain in the region, and either average or above-average precipitation in Northern California.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
This is the second time in the last 30 years the Pirates have been an above-average offense.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for above
Cite this Entry
“Above.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/above. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
above
2 of 3 preposition1
: in or to a higher place than : over
2
: superior to
a captain is above a lieutenant
above criticism
3
: too proud or honorable to stoop to
above such mean tricks
4
: exceeding in number, quantity, or size : more than
above the average
5
: as distinct from and in addition to
heard the bell above the roar of the crowd
above
3 of 3 adjective
: written above
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