up to

1 of 2

preposition

1

—used as a function word to indicate extension as far as a specified place

sank up to his knees in the mud

2

—used as a function word to indicate a limit or boundary

up to 50,000 copies a month

worked up to the last minute

up to

2 of 2

phrase

1

: capable of performing or dealing with

feels up to the task

2

: engaged in

what is he up to

3

: being the responsibility of

it's up to me

Examples of up to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Cannon talk is also reverberating in the run-up to Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 29 June 2026

After the Paramount deal closes, Zaslav is estimated to receive severance worth up to $887 million (which includes some equity awards in his 2025 compensation package). — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

The episode concludes with Rhaenyra looking completely mortified at the idea of having to explain to Alicent what happened, since Alicent had set Rhaenyra up to take King’s Landing and thus the Iron Throne from Alicent’s son, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) — but hadn’t expected this. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 June 2026

In addition, damage to the building and its security equipment brought the figure up to about $25,000. — John Ramos, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

up to

preposition

1

: as far as a named part or place

sank up to my hips

2

: in accordance with

the game was not up to our standards

3

a

: to the limit of

come in sizes up to 10

b

: as many or as much as

carry up to 10 tons

4

: until entry 1, till

from dawn up to dusk