up·stairs
ˌəp-ˈsterz 
1
: up the stairs : on or to a higher floor
2
: to or at a high altitude or higher position
kicked upstairs to company management
3
: in the head : intellectually
a little slow upstairs—
Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsterz
: situated above the stairs especially on an upper floor
an upstairs bedroom
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsterz
ˈəp-ˌsterz
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the part of a building above the ground floor
Examples of upstairs in a Sentence
Adverb
When you go upstairs, bring these towels with you.
She was on her way upstairs when she heard a car drive up.
Adjective
You can use the upstairs bathroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Later that day, one of my friends carried it upstairs, opened the box, unrolled the mattress, and placed it on my bed.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2025
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2025
Patrons with dinner tickets are reminded to arrive an hour before curtain and since the show is upstairs, patrons must be able to walk a flight of stairs to access the seating.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
The restaurant outfitted its upstairs specifically for Ms. Flack, with a stage and rows of pew-style seating.
—Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
The dissuading a witness charge against the father stems from what the prosecution said allegedly happened after the boy stopped breathing and his mother carried his limp body upstairs.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Later that day, one of my friends carried it upstairs, opened the box, unrolled the mattress, and placed it on my bed.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Opposite is a lounging spot warmed by a fireplace and an eat-in kitchen sporting top-tier Viking appliances, while an upstairs primary suite features a walk-in closet with laundry facilities and a luxe bath boasting a glassy two-person shower.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2025
Patrons with dinner tickets are reminded to arrive an hour before curtain and since the show is upstairs, patrons must be able to walk a flight of stairs to access the seating.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
The venue has plans to use its upstairs as a yoga and dance studio and will offer different kinds of movement classes as time goes on, including, perhaps, a slow-motion meditation class on Sunday mornings.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
The restaurant outfitted its upstairs specifically for Ms. Flack, with a stage and rows of pew-style seating.
—Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
Cite this Entry
“Upstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstairs. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upstairs
1 of 3 adverb
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
1
: up the stairs : to or on a higher floor
2
: to or at a higher position or level
upstairs
2 of 3 adjective
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
: located on an upper floor
the upstairs bedroom
upstairs
3 of 3 noun
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
ˈəp-ˌsta(ə)rz,
-ˌste(ə)rz
: the part of a building above the ground floor
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