beyond

1 of 3

adverb

be·​yond bē-ˈänd How to pronounce beyond (audio)
Synonyms of beyond
1
: on or to the farther side : farther
We could see the valley and the hills beyond.
2
: in addition : besides
provides the essentials but nothing beyond

beyond

2 of 3

preposition

1
: on or to the farther side of : at a greater distance than
beyond the horizon
2
a
: out of the reach or sphere (see sphere entry 1 sense 4b) of
a task beyond his strength
b
: in a degree or amount surpassing
beautiful beyond measure
c
: out of the comprehension of
his reasoning is beyond me
3
: in addition to : besides
doing work beyond his regular duties

beyond

3 of 3

noun

1
: something that lies on or to the farther side : something that lies beyond (see beyond entry 1 sense 1)
… twenty miles back into the beyondR. W. Hatch
2
: something that lies outside the scope of ordinary experience
… there's a beyond that the mind can't see, and that's where the answers are.Robert Nathan
specifically : hereafter

Examples of beyond in a Sentence

Adverb From the house we can see the valley and the hills beyond. We passed the hotel and drove a bit beyond to see the ocean. The children who are part of the study will be monitored through their school years and beyond. Preposition From the house we can see the valley and the mountains beyond it. The parking area is just beyond those trees. Our land extends beyond the fence to those trees. planets beyond our solar system His influence does not extend beyond this department. Noun who knows how we'll fare in the beyond?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
While the view from my balcony, overlooking yachts bobbing in the marina and Table Mountain further beyond, was lovely, nothing compares to the two-bedroom Cape Grace suite, with its panoramic perch over the mountain and harbor. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 Customers who have made reservations in August and beyond will be contacted about refunds. John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Preposition
Firefighters had to cut open the metal drop box to extinguish the fire, and numerous ballots inside were damaged, some charred beyond recognition. Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 But his remarkably fortunate position extends far beyond helping a relentless New York squad reach the NBA Finals. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
The chance to watch their hockey team playing on Fishing Opener weekend and beyond hasn’t come around in Minnesota for a while. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026 Next season and beyond will be judged differently, with fewer allowances and far more expected from everyone involved. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beyond

Word History

Etymology

Adverb, Preposition, and Noun

Middle English, preposition & adverb, from Old English begeondan, from be- + geondan beyond, from geond yond — more at yond

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beyond was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Beyond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beyond. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

beyond

1 of 2 adverb
be·​yond bē-ˈänd How to pronounce beyond (audio)
: on or to the farther side

beyond

2 of 2 preposition
1
: on or to the farther side of
beyond that tree
beyond the sea
2
: out of the reach or sphere of
beyond help
beautiful beyond belief

More from Merriam-Webster on beyond

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster