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
Adverb
Preposition
Noun
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
Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Tap play above to listen to the full podcast, or read an excerpt below.
—Rachel Martin, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
Sandy Carter, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
That's because, even at 402 kilometers above the surface, the ISS is still within Earth's atmosphere, albeit in a very thin part of the atmosphere called the thermosphere.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Dr. Jeremy Nunn, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
All of the above makes Queensland, Australia, a top 2023 travel destination for you.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Dec. 2022
David Tobias, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
The forecasters expect an above average October and November for activity in the Caribbean.
—NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024
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
Which of course will be followed by dancing and fireworks alighting the sky above.
—Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Tap play above to listen to the full podcast, or read an excerpt below.
—Rachel Martin, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
Preposition
Located just above the right lens, the user must slightly glance upward to view information, keeping the main field of vision clear for an uninterrupted experience.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
That's because, even at 402 kilometers above the surface, the ISS is still within Earth's atmosphere, albeit in a very thin part of the atmosphere called the thermosphere.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
All of the above can have a significant positive impact on workplace occupants, which also includes contractors who periodically work out of the same offices and sites.
—Dr. Jeremy Nunn, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
All of the above makes Queensland, Australia, a top 2023 travel destination for you.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Dec. 2022
Adjective
Hurricanes Milton and Helene tore through the southeastern U.S., causing billions in damages, while the Midwest endured an above average outbreak of 1700 tornadoes.
—David Tobias, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
The forecasters expect an above average October and November for activity in the Caribbean.
—NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for above
Dictionary Entries Near above
Cite this Entry
“Above.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/above. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share