beneath

adverb be·neath \ bi-ˈnēth , bē- \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: beneath in a Sentence

Definition of beneath

1 : in or to a lower position : below

the mountains and the towns beneath

2 : directly under : underneath

Look at the illustration and read what is beneath.

See beneath defined for English-language learners

See beneath defined for kids

Examples of beneath in a Sentence

the mountains and the towns beneath
the sky above and the earth beneath
an awning with chairs and tables beneath
The ground beneath is covered with flowers.

Recent Examples of beneath from the Web

The solid permafrost that sits beneath many roads, buildings and pipelines is starting to thaw, destabilizing the infrastructure above.

— author: brad plumer, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Impossible to ignore’: Why Alaska is crafting a plan to fight climate change," 16 May 2018
But a rhythmic pattern thrums beneath, based on the grain of the wood the piece is painted on.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "Meet six talented art-school grads," 27 Apr. 2018
But beyond a recognizable name, what history lurks beneath?

— tim mckeough, New York Times, "A Prewar Building’s History Becomes an Amenity," 24 May 2018
The solid permafrost that sits beneath many roads, buildings and pipelines is starting to thaw, destabilizing the infrastructure above.

— author: brad plumer, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Impossible to ignore’: Why Alaska is crafting a plan to fight climate change," 16 May 2018
The solid permafrost that sits beneath many roads, buildings and pipelines is starting to thaw, destabilizing the infrastructure above.

— author: brad plumer, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Impossible to ignore’: Why Alaska is crafting a plan to fight climate change," 16 May 2018
The solid permafrost that sits beneath many roads, buildings and pipelines is starting to thaw, destabilizing the infrastructure above.

— New York Times, "‘Impossible to Ignore’: Why Alaska Is Crafting a Plan to Fight Climate Change," 15 May 2018
The park showcases a 25-foot-tall mound that has been partly excavated over the years but most of whose contents still lie beneath, furthering the mystery of a people who disappeared about 1450.

— sonja haller, azcentral, "Ultimate Arizona bucket list: 25 things to do in Mesa," 18 Feb. 2015
Of O’Connell Street in the rainy night and the warmth of Irish coffee with an inch of country cream floated on top and two fingers of John Powers snuggled beneath.

— stanton delaplane, San Francisco Chronicle, "Comes now upon us St. Patrick’s Day, Stanton Delaplane, 1953," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beneath.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of beneath

Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether — more at nether

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

beneath Synonyms

beneath

preposition

Definition of beneath

1 a : in or to a lower position than : below

beneath the surface

b : directly under

the ground beneath her feet

c : at the foot of

a camp beneath a hill

2 : not suitable to the rank of : unworthy of

a job that is beneath his dignity

3 : under the control, pressure, or influence of

the chair sagged beneath his weight

4 : concealed by : under the guise of

a warm heart beneath a gruff manner

See beneath defined for English-language learners

Examples of beneath in a Sentence

the sky above us and the earth beneath us
just beneath the surface of the water
The painting is hanging on the wall with a plaque beneath it.
We had a picnic beneath a large tree.
The paper was hidden beneath a pile of books.
She wore a sweater beneath her coat.

Recent Examples of beneath from the Web

In one grotesque instance, Alain’s image starts to melt into wavy lines, as if what lies beneath the points of light presenting a familiar, encouraging face isn’t emptiness or digital technology but the bottomless terror of an Edvard Munch painting.

— lily janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, "Projections the highlight of ‘Solo Date’ at S.F. International Arts Fest," 1 June 2018
Bodies Revealed at OdySea in the Desert Visitors get a view at what lies beneath at Bodies Revealed at OdySea in the Desert.

— sonja haller, azcentral, "Best kids things to do in Phoenix this June: Westgate, Phoenix Art Museum, movie nights," 1 June 2018
Kassie had climbed the steps to the top of one of the thousands of ancient pagodas that dot the country's landscape when the bricks crumbled beneath her feet, pitching her some 40 feet to the ground.

— maureen c. gilmer, Indianapolis Star, "'I know she's with God ... but I just miss her,' says mom of student who died in fall overseas," 1 June 2018
Soon it would be ground into the bricks beneath her feet.

— laurie eynon, ajc, "Personal Journeys: 100 places to scatter his ashes," 1 June 2018
An ancestor of Vail’s could lie beneath those stones.

— jason nark, Philly.com, "SCOTUS will dig into debate over alleged cemetery on Pa. farm," 24 May 2018
Art Produce Artist in Residence Erica Buechner has choreographed an evening-length dance work that contemplates vulnerability and bravery by exploring all that lies beneath the surface to reveal human stories.

— marcia manna, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Summer arts preview: Top 5 dance picks," 13 May 2018
The ground beneath their feet shuddered violently with the first of hundreds of earthquakes that would sweep through the region over the course of two weeks.

— shannon hall, Discover Magazine, "Africa's Big Break," 11 May 2018
Amidst mosaics in the South Byzantine Gallery, what lay beneath the five mannequins with platinum blonde wigs were gold metal mesh dresses (and one silver one) from Gianni Versace's fall 1997 collection.

— rosemary feitelberg | wwd, latimes.com, "The Met’s Costume Institute unveils ‘Heavenly Bodies’ exhibition during preview before the Met Gala," 7 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of beneath

see ¹beneath

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

beneath Synonyms

Synonyms

below, under;

Antonyms

above, over;

Related Words

underneath;

BENEATH Defined for English Language Learners

beneath

adverb

Definition of beneath for English Language Learners

: in or to a lower position

beneath

preposition

Definition of beneath for English Language Learners

: in or to a lower position than (something or someone)
: directly under (something or someone)
: not worthy of (someone) : not good enough for (someone)

BENEATH Defined for Kids

beneath

adverb be·neath \ bi-ˈnēth \

Definition of beneath for Students

1 : in a lower place

the mountains and the town beneath

2 : directly under

Look at the picture and read what is beneath.

beneath

preposition

Definition of beneath for Students

1 : in or to a lower position than : below

The sun sank beneath the horizon.

2 : directly under (something or someone)

the ground beneath our feet

3 : not worthy of

She thinks this work is beneath her.

Learn More about beneath

See words that rhyme with beneath Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for beneath Spanish Central: Translation of beneath Nglish: Translation of beneath for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of beneath for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up beneath? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

beneath

Definition of beneath

Examples of beneath in a Sentence

Recent Examples of beneath from the Web

Origin and Etymology of beneath

beneath Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

beneath

Definition of beneath

Examples of beneath in a Sentence

Recent Examples of beneath from the Web

Origin and Etymology of beneath

beneath Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to BENEATH

Related Phrases

BENEATH Defined for English Language Learners

beneath

Definition of beneath for English Language Learners

beneath

Definition of beneath for English Language Learners

BENEATH Defined for Kids

beneath

Definition of beneath for Students

beneath

Definition of beneath for Students

Learn More about beneath

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

'Than': What Follows It and Why

Name More Food!

9 Words for Transnational Currencies

Ghost Word