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

The battery lasts up to a year and is easily replaceable when that time comes. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026

Both have sufficient power to quickly get you up to highway speeds or pass a slow-moving vehicle without trouble. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

The idea is already being used by the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's power grid, to generate up to several hundred megawatts. —James Taylor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Average gas prices have soared since the start of the Iran war and were up to a nationwide average of more than $4 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy, and inflation spiked in March. —Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Apr. 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