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Definition of under
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 combination understaffed
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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of under in a Sentence
Pull the bed sheets tight then fold the ends under.
He turned under his shirt's collar.
The whale surfaced briefly then dove under again.
The bridge was too low for the ship to sail under.
A score of 60 is needed to pass; anything under is failing.
They had to put me under for surgery.
Origin and Etymology of under
Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English; akin to Old High German untar under, Latin inferus situated beneath, lower, infra below, Sanskrit adha
under
Definition of under
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 systemb : 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 headingb : 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
Examples of under in a Sentence
They couldn't climb over the wall, so they dug a hole under it.
Draw a line under each word you don't know.
We sat under a tree and rested a while.
I'm wearing a sweater under my jacket.
The ball rolled under the car.
How long can you hold your breath under water?
The cafe is under new management.
The army captured three forts while under the general's command.
He has been under a lot of pressure at work lately.
You will be under anesthesia during the operation.
First Known Use of under
before 12th century
under
Definition of under
1a : lying or placed below, beneath, or on the ventral side —often used in combination the ocean's undercurrents the underside of a carb : facing or protruding downward —often used in combination the undersurface of a leaf
2 : lower in rank or authority : subordinate —often used in combination the undersecretary of defense
3 : lower than usual, proper, or desired in amount, quality, or degree —often used in combination undernourished children
Recent Examples of under from the Web
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Kushner’s meetings with Russian officials and business executives have come under scrutiny as the investigation has probed links between the Trump campaign and the Russians.
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The cause of the fire had not been determined and was under investigation as of 8 a.m.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'under'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of under
13th century
UNDER Defined for English Language Learners
under
playDefinition of under for English Language Learners
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: in or into a position that is below or beneath something; especially : in a position that is below the surface of water
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: in a forward direction that passes below something
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: less than an expected or stated number or amount
under
Definition of under for English Language Learners
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: in or to a lower place than (something) : below or beneath (something)
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: guided or managed by (a person or group)
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: controlled or affected by (something)
UNDER Defined for Kids
Definition of under for Students
1 : in or into a position below or beneath something The dog squeezed under the fence.
2 : below some quantity or level ten dollars or under
Definition of under for Students
1 : lower than and topped or sheltered by under a tree
2 : below the surface of under the sea
3 : in or into such a position as to be covered or hidden by I wore a sweater under my jacket.
4 : commanded or guided by Many soldiers served under George Washington.
5 : controlled or managed by The restaurant is under new management.
6 : affected or influenced by the action or effect of The disease is under treatment.
7 : within the division or grouping of That information is under this heading.
8 : less or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank) The candy costs under a dollar. The package weighs under two pounds.
Definition of under for Students
1 : lying or placed below or beneath
2 : lower in position or authority Hint: The adjective under is often used in combination with other words. underside
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of under
: in or into a condition of unconsciousness put the patient under prior to surgery
under
Medical Definition of under
: receiving or using the action or application of an operation performed under local anesthesia
under
Medical Definition of under
: being in an induced state of unconsciousness given intravenously when the patient is under—C. A. Birch
Learn More about under
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See words that rhyme with under Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for under Spanish Central: Translation of under Nglish: Translation of under for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of under for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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