1
: in or into a position below or beneath something
2
: below or short of some quantity, level, or limit
$10 or under
—often used in combinationunderstaffed
3
: in or into a condition of subjection, subordination, or unconsciousness
put the patient under for surgery
4
: down to defeat, ruin, or death
weaker competitors will be forced under
5
: so as to be covered
buried under by the avalanche
1
: below or beneath so as to be overhung, surmounted, covered, protected, or concealed by
under sunny skies
a soft heart under a stern exterior
under cover of darkness
2
a
: subject to the authority, control, guidance, or instruction of
served under the general
under the terms of the contract
a program that runs under any operating system
b
: receiving or undergoing the action or effect of
under pressure
courage under fire
under the influence of alcohol
the image of a point under a mapping
under oath
3
a
: within the group or designation of
under this heading
b
: having as name or title
traveling under an alias
4
: less or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank)
especially
: falling short of a standard or required degree
under the legal age
under par
1
a
: lying or placed below, beneath, or on the ventral side
—often used in combination
the ocean's undercurrents
the underside of a car
b
: facing or protruding downward
—often used in combination
the undersurface of a leaf
2
: lower in rank or authority : subordinate
—often used in combination
the undersecretary of defense
3
: lower than usual, proper, or desired in amount, quality, or degree
—often used in combination
undernourished children
Synonyms
Adverb
Preposition
Examples of under in a Sentence
Adverb
Pull the bed sheets tight then fold the ends under.
He turned under his shirt's collar.
The whale surfaced briefly then dove under again.
The bridge was too low for the ship to sail under.
A score of 60 is needed to pass; anything under is failing.
They had to put me under for surgery.
Preposition
They couldn't climb over the wall, so they dug a hole under it.
Draw a line under each word you don't know.
We sat under a tree and rested a while.
I'm wearing a sweater under my jacket.
The ball rolled under the car.
How long can you hold your breath under water?
The cafe is under new management.
The army captured three forts while under the general's command.
He has been under a lot of pressure at work lately.
You will be under anesthesia during the operation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024
Then, on the afternoon of August 30, 1907, a section of the bridge collapsed, narrowly avoiding striking a steamer that had just passed under.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The over / under is set at 2030 before everything is settled.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024
The ends flip under, hitting just below her chin, while her side part allows a shorter layer to undulate away from her face.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 11 Mar. 2024
About 10 were under and behind a storage shelf with sugar and rice.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024
While the Milwaukee family was in some respects viewed as under or subservient to Chicago, the FBI intelligence — this is from 1963 — had already identified Frank Balistrieri as the boss of Milwaukee and also as an independent person on what was known as La Cosa Nostra Commission.
—Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024
Median values represent the middle of the pack on each of those property classes, meaning about half will be under and half will be over that increase.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024
Work performed by women is often undervalued, and in fields predominantly occupied by women, there is a tendency to under-recognize their expertise and educational background.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Gold hardware elevates this backpack to a luxurious aesthetic, and for under $150, this bag is a reasonable price for its high-end look and practical features.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Instead, Muslims fasted throughout the month-long holiday despite the ongoing terrors of war; and now Eid is also taking place under the cloud of a conflict in its seventh month.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The man was arrested, but the charges against him were dropped months later after his attorney argued he was justified in using his gun under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
In a stroke of genius, Downey plays all of the white men who take the Captain under their wing.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Most of that came from $21 million in state Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention grants and $22 million earmarked under a permanent housing program.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
School lunch policies Consumer Reports also analyzed two Lunchables kits made specifically for schools that are eligible to be served to children under the National School Lunch Program.
—USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
More than 4 million people in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi were under a tornado watch that was expected to remain effective until 1 p.m. CDT, according to the National Weather Service.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Under 30 list that highlights the under 30s who are experts in their fields, including entrepreneurs, executives, social media stars, athletes and more.
—Emmy Lucas, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Brian Nelson, the under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, said in an interview in October that the department would continue to use sanctions to pressure cartel organizations and suppliers of fentanyl chemicals.
—Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023
The unique stick formula is so easy to use and feels cool to touch on the under eye, which is refreshing after a night of little sleep.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
And so being in an under resourced neighborhood or rural neighborhood really limits opportunities to receive a professional diagnosis of autism.
—Lizann Robinson, ABC News, 26 July 2023
Bet the under here as both teams will be focused on locking down shooters.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2023
This past Beauty of Beauty winner is lightweight but pigmented and includes some of our favorite skin-care ingredients, like vitamin E and caffeine to hydrate and brighten the under eyes.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Mar. 2023
My under-eye area immediately started looking more hydrated.
—Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Mar. 2023
Adverb
The beds are also designed to hide a large hard shell roller suitcase under.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024
Then, on the afternoon of August 30, 1907, a section of the bridge collapsed, narrowly avoiding striking a steamer that had just passed under.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The over / under is set at 2030 before everything is settled.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024
The ends flip under, hitting just below her chin, while her side part allows a shorter layer to undulate away from her face.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 11 Mar. 2024
About 10 were under and behind a storage shelf with sugar and rice.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024
While the Milwaukee family was in some respects viewed as under or subservient to Chicago, the FBI intelligence — this is from 1963 — had already identified Frank Balistrieri as the boss of Milwaukee and also as an independent person on what was known as La Cosa Nostra Commission.
—Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024
Median values represent the middle of the pack on each of those property classes, meaning about half will be under and half will be over that increase.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024
Work performed by women is often undervalued, and in fields predominantly occupied by women, there is a tendency to under-recognize their expertise and educational background.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Preposition
Kelly, more than a year into her second term, has built her time in the governor’s office on promises to never take Kansas back to the budget crisis under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose signature income tax cuts left the state struggling to pay for expenses.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Gold hardware elevates this backpack to a luxurious aesthetic, and for under $150, this bag is a reasonable price for its high-end look and practical features.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Instead, Muslims fasted throughout the month-long holiday despite the ongoing terrors of war; and now Eid is also taking place under the cloud of a conflict in its seventh month.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The man was arrested, but the charges against him were dropped months later after his attorney argued he was justified in using his gun under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
In a stroke of genius, Downey plays all of the white men who take the Captain under their wing.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Most of that came from $21 million in state Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention grants and $22 million earmarked under a permanent housing program.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
School lunch policies Consumer Reports also analyzed two Lunchables kits made specifically for schools that are eligible to be served to children under the National School Lunch Program.
—USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
More than 4 million people in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi were under a tornado watch that was expected to remain effective until 1 p.m. CDT, according to the National Weather Service.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The limping boy, the wag with the bear, the cad with the under look, the Londoner, the libertine, the would-be liberator: take your pick.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Under 30 list that highlights the under 30s who are experts in their fields, including entrepreneurs, executives, social media stars, athletes and more.
—Emmy Lucas, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Brian Nelson, the under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, said in an interview in October that the department would continue to use sanctions to pressure cartel organizations and suppliers of fentanyl chemicals.
—Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023
The unique stick formula is so easy to use and feels cool to touch on the under eye, which is refreshing after a night of little sleep.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
And so being in an under resourced neighborhood or rural neighborhood really limits opportunities to receive a professional diagnosis of autism.
—Lizann Robinson, ABC News, 26 July 2023
Bet the under here as both teams will be focused on locking down shooters.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2023
This past Beauty of Beauty winner is lightweight but pigmented and includes some of our favorite skin-care ingredients, like vitamin E and caffeine to hydrate and brighten the under eyes.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Mar. 2023
My under-eye area immediately started looking more hydrated.
—Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'under.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to under
Dictionary Entries Near under
Cite this Entry
“Under.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
under
1 of 3 adverb
un·der
ˈən-dər 
1
: in or into a position below or beneath something
the duck surfaced, then went under again
2
: below some quantity, level, or average
ten dollars or under
—often used in combinationunderplayed the part
3
: in or into a losing, lower, or unconscious state or condition
kept my disappointment under
put the patient under for surgery
4
: so as to be covered or hidden
turned under by the plow
under
2 of 3 preposition
un·der
ˌən-dər,
ˈən-
1
: below or beneath and topped or sheltered by
under sunny skies
under a tree
wearing a sweater under my jacket
2
a
: bound by the authority or guidance of
served under the general
b
: affected or influenced by the action or result of
the disease is under treatment
3
: within the group or division of
under this heading
4
a
: less or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank)
all masses under 90 kilograms
nobody under a colonel
b
: below the required level of
under legal age
under
3 of 3 adjective
un·der
ˈən-dər
1
a
: lying or placed below
—often used in combination
the sea's undercurrents
the underside of a car
b
: facing or bulging downward
—often used in combination
the undersurface of a leaf
2
: lower in position or authority : subordinate
—often used in combination
the undersecretary of defense
3
: lower than usual, proper, or desired in amount or quality
—often used in combination
undernourished children
Medical Definition
under
1 of 3 adverb
un·der
ˈən-dər
: in or into a condition of unconsciousness
put the patient under prior to surgery
under
2 of 3 preposition
: receiving or using the action or application of
an operation performed under local anesthesia
under
3 of 3 adjective
: being in an induced state of unconsciousness
given intravenously when the patient is under—C. A. Birch
C. A. BirchLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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