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

Under perfect dark sky conditions, eagle-eyed meteor hunters may be able to spot up to 150 meteors per hour. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The misdemeanor stalking charge is punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine, and each misdemeanor breaking and entering or entering without breaking charge is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

In the video, Flueger walks up to the cake as the cast and crew cheer and serenade him. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025

Domestic supply potential The company’s method relies on low-temperature ion exchange rather than high-heat processing or heavy acids, with recovery rates of up to 95 percent. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025

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