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

Campers can turn on the vehicle's air conditioner or heater and run it for up to eight hours when the vehicle is parked and turned off. — New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026

Over at Article, there are pages of savings up to 60% off on midcentury modern and Scandi-influenced furniture, home decor, and lighting all waiting to be snapped up. — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026

The full-flat bed measures 79 inches in length and up to 24 inches in width. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Under the program, three local nonprofits will receive up to $10,000 per unit to build three to five tiny homes on their properties. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 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