up·stairs
ˌəp-ˈsterz 
1
: up the stairs : on or to a higher floor
2
: to or at a high altitude or higher position
kicked upstairs to company management
3
: in the head : intellectually
a little slow upstairs—
Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsterz
: situated above the stairs especially on an upper floor
an upstairs bedroom
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsterz
ˈəp-ˌsterz
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the part of a building above the ground floor
Examples of upstairs in a Sentence
Adverb
When you go upstairs, bring these towels with you.
She was on her way upstairs when she heard a car drive up.
Adjective
You can use the upstairs bathroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 June 2025
Two members of Nadler’s staff had gone downstairs to observe and, when tensions flared, invited the activists upstairs to defuse the situation.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 18 June 2025
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
How a small sailboat ended up in the courtyard, its mast jutting through an upstairs window.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 May 2025
Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Casa Grande explores the intertwining lives of Northern California farmland families at the turn of the century, with an upstairs/downstairs take on themes of class, immigration, culture and family.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
Residents can request bespoke meals prepared and served upstairs in the penthouse by King’s team.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 June 2025
Two members of Nadler’s staff had gone downstairs to observe and, when tensions flared, invited the activists upstairs to defuse the situation.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 18 June 2025
Adjective
An upstairs primary suite sports a fireplace, Juliet balcony, and dual walk-in closets and baths, while a top-level office has its own fireside balcony overlooking city views.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
How a small sailboat ended up in the courtyard, its mast jutting through an upstairs window.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 May 2025
Noun
The iconic address’ upstairs is all about pitchers of local wheat ales and country DJs spinning Morgan Wallen hits, yet the basement steakhouse is where the sweet tunes from the sizzling stovetop can be heard.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Casa Grande explores the intertwining lives of Northern California farmland families at the turn of the century, with an upstairs/downstairs take on themes of class, immigration, culture and family.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
Cite this Entry
“Upstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstairs. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upstairs
1 of 3 adverb
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
1
: up the stairs : to or on a higher floor
2
: to or at a higher position or level
upstairs
2 of 3 adjective
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
: located on an upper floor
the upstairs bedroom
upstairs
3 of 3 noun
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
ˈəp-ˌsta(ə)rz,
-ˌste(ə)rz
: the part of a building above the ground floor
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