1
: in or to a lower place
gazed at the water below
voices from the apartment below
2
a
: on earth
improvements in conditions here below—
Times Literary Supplement
Times Literary Supplement
b
: in or to Hades or hell
3
: on or to a lower floor or deck
ordered the crew below
4
a
: in, to, at, or by a lower rank or number
suitable for children age 10 and below
b
: below zero
the temperature was 20 below
5
: lower on the same page or on a following page
See the graph below.
6
: under the surface of the water
thirty fathoms below
1
a
: lower in place, rank, or value than : under
Our apartment is below theirs.
Her skirt reached below her knees.
The sun dipped below the horizon.
b
: down river from
moored a mile below town
c
: south of
located 20 miles below the nation's capital
2
: inferior to (as in rank)
A lieutenant is below a captain.
3
: not suitable to the rank of : beneath
considers such work below him
: something that is below
: written or discussed lower on the same page or on a following page
the below list
Synonyms
Adverb
Preposition
Examples of below in a Sentence
Adverb
The pencil rolled off the desk and fell to the floor below.
The pilot looked down at the sea far below.
We heard the elevator stop at the floor below.
They secured the goods on deck and went below.
All personnel, captain and below, were ordered to report for duty.
Preposition
Our apartment is below theirs.
We could see only clouds below us.
The diver descended below 25 meters.
The sun disappeared below the horizon.
a spot directly below us
the valley far below us
Temperatures were below average all week.
She worked for wage rates below those of other workers.
He ranks far below his superior.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebClaire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023
The song is now available to stream and download (Sept. 27) — listen below.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2023
Follow the recipe below for a well-rounded meal your family will love.
—The View, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2023
At one point, another man was thrown over the side of a railing, falling onto the concrete steps below.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023
The series, which shows Stone and Fielder wearing hard hats and wielding sledgehammers to renovate a home in the first pics (below), will start streaming on Paramount+ for Showtime subscribers on Nov. 10, before launching Showtime Nov. 12.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Sep. 2023
Read on below: Want more recipes and tips from the Voraciously team?
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Check out the artwork by photographer Matt Grubb below.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 26 Sep. 2023
The water can drain through the gaps in the decking to the ground below.
—Tim Carter, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
William Neff, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Water gauges across a nearly 400-mile expanse of the Mississippi River from the mouth of the Ohio River to Jackson, Mississippi, are at or below a critical level, according to data from NOAA and the US Geological Survey, signaling widespread disruption to residents and industry along the river.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 28 Sep. 2023
Some educators claim that these figures are misleading because the Basic Level (the level below proficiency) isn't bad at all.
—Marion Blank, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2023
The ocean-view kitchen, with granite counters and Viking appliances, is set a half-floor below the main level, which gives it easier access to the entertainment terrace, while a minstrel’s gallery-like loft overlooks the living room.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023
The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Sep. 4 even if the property may have been sold earlier.
—oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
And yet despite all this, that feeling persists, deep down, below all the affirmations and the solo dates, that there’s something rotten in me.
—Annie Lord, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2023
The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of August 28 to the week of Sep. 10 even if the property may have been sold earlier.
—cleveland, 15 Sep. 2023
If your basement is predominantly underground, consider adding some slim windows right below your ceiling.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
Laura Jackson, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2023
Based on design, durability, attachments and safety — all of the below have been verified to meet ASTM International standards — these are the best swing sets to buy for every age, need and budget.
—Alissa Schulman, Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2023
Check out the below to see what's important when looking at a new showerhead.
—Alec Scherma, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023
All of the below is said with love and respectfully.
—Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 7 Sep. 2022
All of the below is correct as of press time but subject to change by Riot Fest.
—Britt Julious, chicagotribune.com, 15 Sep. 2021
All of the below is correct as of press time but subject to change by Lollapalooza.
—Doug George, chicagotribune.com, 27 July 2021
Each of the below is a deep dive look at an entrepreneur who reached the top of their field, albeit through different means and motivations.
—Grant Powell, Forbes, 24 May 2021
There is more on this upcoming storm - and its potential impacts on the Northeast later this weekend into next week - below.
—Star Tribune, 29 Jan. 2021
Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
On September 1, Shayk uploaded an end-of-summer carousel to Instagram featuring the below image.
—Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2023
Every stroller on the list below checks every single one of the below boxes.
—Jennifer Nied, Women's Health, 31 Aug. 2023
Additionally, Jessie reached out to the below experts to learn more about what to look for in lip gloss and find out what exactly makes a lip gloss formula the best of the best.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
Breeze offers flights from Louisville to the below cities, according to a news release.
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2023
For most of the season, the veteran second baseman has been a league average hitter and a below average defender.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
Try any of the below materials to create an antproof border to prevent ants from getting into your home.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 29 Aug. 2023
But on average, the below chart will give you a guideline when shopping for a kids’ bike.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 Aug. 2023
See More
Adverb
Find 10 sweater dresses on sale for less than $50 at Amazon below.
—Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023
The song is now available to stream and download (Sept. 27) — listen below.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2023
Follow the recipe below for a well-rounded meal your family will love.
—The View, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2023
At one point, another man was thrown over the side of a railing, falling onto the concrete steps below.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023
The series, which shows Stone and Fielder wearing hard hats and wielding sledgehammers to renovate a home in the first pics (below), will start streaming on Paramount+ for Showtime subscribers on Nov. 10, before launching Showtime Nov. 12.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Sep. 2023
Read on below: Want more recipes and tips from the Voraciously team?
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Check out the artwork by photographer Matt Grubb below.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 26 Sep. 2023
The water can drain through the gaps in the decking to the ground below.
—Tim Carter, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Preposition
Story continues below advertisement By the early 20th century, plenty of damage had been done to the oyster population.
—William Neff, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Water gauges across a nearly 400-mile expanse of the Mississippi River from the mouth of the Ohio River to Jackson, Mississippi, are at or below a critical level, according to data from NOAA and the US Geological Survey, signaling widespread disruption to residents and industry along the river.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 28 Sep. 2023
Some educators claim that these figures are misleading because the Basic Level (the level below proficiency) isn't bad at all.
—Marion Blank, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2023
The ocean-view kitchen, with granite counters and Viking appliances, is set a half-floor below the main level, which gives it easier access to the entertainment terrace, while a minstrel’s gallery-like loft overlooks the living room.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023
The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Sep. 4 even if the property may have been sold earlier.
—oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
And yet despite all this, that feeling persists, deep down, below all the affirmations and the solo dates, that there’s something rotten in me.
—Annie Lord, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2023
The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of August 28 to the week of Sep. 10 even if the property may have been sold earlier.
—cleveland, 15 Sep. 2023
If your basement is predominantly underground, consider adding some slim windows right below your ceiling.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
Noun
While options in classic black are to be expected, like the below from Vince, Veronica Beard, and Cos, tonal varieties in ivory, beige, and soft brown are especially fitting for spring.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2023
Based on design, durability, attachments and safety — all of the below have been verified to meet ASTM International standards — these are the best swing sets to buy for every age, need and budget.
—Alissa Schulman, Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2023
Check out the below to see what's important when looking at a new showerhead.
—Alec Scherma, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023
All of the below is said with love and respectfully.
—Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 7 Sep. 2022
All of the below is correct as of press time but subject to change by Riot Fest.
—Britt Julious, chicagotribune.com, 15 Sep. 2021
All of the below is correct as of press time but subject to change by Lollapalooza.
—Doug George, chicagotribune.com, 27 July 2021
Each of the below is a deep dive look at an entrepreneur who reached the top of their field, albeit through different means and motivations.
—Grant Powell, Forbes, 24 May 2021
There is more on this upcoming storm - and its potential impacts on the Northeast later this weekend into next week - below.
—Star Tribune, 29 Jan. 2021
Adjective
From our friends at the Los Angeles Public Library: Literacy is built on the below pre-reading skills.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
On September 1, Shayk uploaded an end-of-summer carousel to Instagram featuring the below image.
—Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2023
Every stroller on the list below checks every single one of the below boxes.
—Jennifer Nied, Women's Health, 31 Aug. 2023
Additionally, Jessie reached out to the below experts to learn more about what to look for in lip gloss and find out what exactly makes a lip gloss formula the best of the best.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
Breeze offers flights from Louisville to the below cities, according to a news release.
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2023
For most of the season, the veteran second baseman has been a league average hitter and a below average defender.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
Try any of the below materials to create an antproof border to prevent ants from getting into your home.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 29 Aug. 2023
But on average, the below chart will give you a guideline when shopping for a kids’ bike.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'below.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adverb
Middle English bilooghe, from bi by + looghe low, adjective
Preposition
derivative of below entry 1
Noun
noun derivative of below entry 1
Adjective
adjective derivative of below entry 1
First Known Use
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Preposition
circa 1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1828, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
1870, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of below was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing below
Dictionary Entries Near below
Cite this Entry
“Below.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/below. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
below
1 of 2 adverb
be·low
bi-ˈlō 
1
: in or to a lower place
2
: on a lower floor or deck
3
: below zero
the temperature was 20 below
below
2 of 2 preposition
: lower than
the diver descends below 25 meters
below average
selling below cost
Legal Definition
below
1 of 2 adverb
be·low
1
: in a lower court
the presumption that the decisions below…are correct—W. J. Brennan, Jr.
W. J. Brennan, Jr.2
: lower on the same page or on a following page
the paragraph below
below
2 of 2 preposition
: lower in place, rank, or value than
More from Merriam-Webster on below
Nglish: Translation of below for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of below for Arabic Speakers
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