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
New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
The opportunity to see one of ballet’s greats brought out a crowd that included baseball legends like CC Sabathia and Dave Winfield, who made their way upstairs to the pre-performance cocktail hour, where Iman chatted with Debbie Allen and her sister Phylicia Rashad.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Flooding from an upstairs unit destroyed the dining room, and the restaurant was forced to close for six months (it's set to reopen in early November).
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
And constant headaches coming from upstairs.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
The second bedroom is situated upstairs and is a typical loft-style model with a low ceiling.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
The opportunity to see one of ballet’s greats brought out a crowd that included baseball legends like CC Sabathia and Dave Winfield, who made their way upstairs to the pre-performance cocktail hour, where Iman chatted with Debbie Allen and her sister Phylicia Rashad.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Two guest bedrooms can be found downstairs, while four more upstairs bedrooms include a secluded primary retreat that comes with a fireplace, a dressing room, and dual baths.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Flooding from an upstairs unit destroyed the dining room, and the restaurant was forced to close for six months (it's set to reopen in early November).
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The pair aimed for more of the same upstairs.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
And constant headaches coming from upstairs.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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