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

Tropical-storm-force winds stretched up to 125 miles from the eye of the storm. — Megan Janetsky, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Bye Aerospace says the aircraft can reduce operating costs by up to 80 percent. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

By next year, Google is hoping to launch another pair of satellites before ramping up to a constellation of 80 satellites in close formation. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

The school board voted in May to set aside 7 acres next to Garinger High School to be developed for up to 138 apartments for educators. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 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