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

The committee is also considering whether to narrow the age recommendation for Covid-19 vaccines for older adults, pushing it up to 75 from 65, a move that could affect a group more likely to get vaccinated. —Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

Forty years after Spinal Tap, history’s most hapless band turns it up to 11 one last time. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025

The battery lasts up to a year and is easily replaceable when that time comes. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025

Webb, which then began its cosmic operations in July 2022, was designed to operate for up to 10 years. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 Sep. 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