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
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 11 July 2025
No more going upstairs and crossing a busy street just to complete your journey.
—Carlo Scissura, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 6 July 2025
Moore was also at the house, allegedly hiding in an upstairs bedroom.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 9 July 2025
The iconic address’ upstairs is all about pitchers of local wheat ales and country DJs spinning Morgan Wallen hits, yet the basement steakhouse is where the sweet tunes from the sizzling stovetop can be heard.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
Well, there was another apartment upstairs, the broker said.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 11 July 2025
No more going upstairs and crossing a busy street just to complete your journey.
—Carlo Scissura, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
The fire destroyed the garage and a vehicle inside and caused significant damage to an upstairs bedroom, the sheriff’s office reported.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 6 July 2025
Moore was also at the house, allegedly hiding in an upstairs bedroom.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Noun
Her daughter and the other campers ran to the rec hall and piled onto a loft upstairs, waiting for the waters to recede until daylight.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 9 July 2025
The iconic address’ upstairs is all about pitchers of local wheat ales and country DJs spinning Morgan Wallen hits, yet the basement steakhouse is where the sweet tunes from the sizzling stovetop can be heard.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 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 22 Jul. 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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