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
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Four more upstairs include a posh primary suite flaunting a fireplace, a separate sitting area with a balcony, dual walk-in closets, and a bath spotlighted by a Hydro Systems soaking tub.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
An upstairs front window — believed to be the room where Westman stayed — was opened as neighbors recalled how their normally quiet street was upended Wednesday, when police swarmed the property hours after the deadly attack that left two children dead and 18 others injured.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
The areas available for sale include the main showroom with upstairs and downstairs seating for over 700, a backstage production area complete with dressing rooms, a lobby, a bar and kitchen, ticketing offices, a state-of-the-art studio, as well as office space.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
The series premiere ends, however, on a much softer note, as Robbie and Cliff run into the young Sam, the couple's son who was sleeping in the basement while his parents were murdered upstairs.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Four more upstairs include a posh primary suite flaunting a fireplace, a separate sitting area with a balcony, dual walk-in closets, and a bath spotlighted by a Hydro Systems soaking tub.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Emerson had an auditorium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and an upstairs indoor running track.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
An upstairs front window — believed to be the room where Westman stayed — was opened as neighbors recalled how their normally quiet street was upended Wednesday, when police swarmed the property hours after the deadly attack that left two children dead and 18 others injured.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Whisler’s is an award-winning cocktail bar with four seasonal menus a year, plus an all-mezcal bar upstairs.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
The areas available for sale include the main showroom with upstairs and downstairs seating for over 700, a backstage production area complete with dressing rooms, a lobby, a bar and kitchen, ticketing offices, a state-of-the-art studio, as well as office space.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 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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