1
: in or to a lower position : below
the mountains and the towns beneath
2
: directly under : underneath
Look at the illustration and read what is beneath.
1
a
: in or to a lower position than : below
beneath the surface
b
: directly under
the ground beneath her feet
c
: at the foot of
a camp beneath a hill
2
: not suitable to the rank of : unworthy of
a job that is beneath his dignity
3
: under the control, pressure, or influence of
the chair sagged beneath his weight
4
: concealed by : under the guise of
a warm heart beneath a gruff manner
Examples of beneath in a Sentence
Adverb
the mountains and the towns beneath
the sky above and the earth beneath
an awning with chairs and tables beneath
The ground beneath is covered with flowers.
Preposition
the sky above us and the earth beneath us
just beneath the surface of the water
The painting is hanging on the wall with a plaque beneath it.
We had a picnic beneath a large tree.
The paper was hidden beneath a pile of books.
She wore a sweater beneath her coat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
The ‘Gateway To Hell’ Opened When The Trees Were Cleared
In the 1960s, Soviet deforestation around the Chersky Range removed the forest canopy that had long insulated the frozen ground beneath.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
George Petras, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Start the day with a yoga class or surf lesson before stretching out on one of the hotel’s beach loungers (two per room) beneath an umbrella.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beneath
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Adverb
Mock says the ingredients in these (nearly) do-it-all formulas might prove too harsh, compromising the sealant and damaging or discoloring the stone beneath.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
The ‘Gateway To Hell’ Opened When The Trees Were Cleared
In the 1960s, Soviet deforestation around the Chersky Range removed the forest canopy that had long insulated the frozen ground beneath.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Preposition
The outdoor venue allows large numbers of mourners to pay their respects.
Burial: Instead of being interred in the Vatican Grottoes beneath the Basilica, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
—George Petras, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Start the day with a yoga class or surf lesson before stretching out on one of the hotel’s beach loungers (two per room) beneath an umbrella.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beneath
Cite this Entry
“Beneath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beneath. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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