Definition of under
(Entry 1 of 3)
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
under
prepositionDefinition of under (Entry 2 of 3)
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
2a : 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
3a : 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
under
adjectiveDefinition of under (Entry 3 of 3)
1a : lying or placed below, beneath, or on the ventral side
—often used in combinationthe ocean's undercurrentsthe underside of a car
b : facing or protruding downward
—often used in combinationthe undersurface of a leaf
2 : lower in rank or authority : subordinate —often used in combinationthe undersecretary of defense
3 : lower than usual, proper, or desired in amount, quality, or degree
—often used in combinationundernourished children
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Time Traveler for under
The first known use of under was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century