up to

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

Examples of up to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Expect up to 50% off coveted labels like Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Coach, and Proenza Schouler. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 30 June 2025

Residents can anticipate wind gusts of up to 50 mph. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025

Ensuing exchanges of air attacks with Iran left up to 40,000 tourists stranded in Israel, according to the Ministry of Tourism. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025

The sediment that accumulates in the basin behind the dam must be removed as part of the reservoir’s maintenance and has the potential to yield up to 100,000 cubic yards of material annually. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th 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