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
Alberto Saiz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
To avoid having to go upstairs to a guest room for nap time, the shady privacy of a cabana offers a perfect space for young children (or tired parents) to nap.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
The kitchen has ample cabinet space and upstairs bedrooms have lots of natural light and built-ins.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 8 Nov. 2024
New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024
Jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was locked in a safe upstairs.
—CBS News, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for upstairs 
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Adverb
Mari Carmen Pérez said by phone from Barrio de la Torre, a suburb of Valencia city, that her phone buzzed with the flood warning after the rushing water had already forced open the front door and filled the first floor, forcing her family to flee upstairs.
—Alberto Saiz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
To avoid having to go upstairs to a guest room for nap time, the shady privacy of a cabana offers a perfect space for young children (or tired parents) to nap.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Another upstairs bath also features Subway Ceramics wall tiles, this time in an emerald green, against walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Old White.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
The kitchen has ample cabinet space and upstairs bedrooms have lots of natural light and built-ins.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Cosmos' upstairs is reached by a staircase that's integrated into the kitchen unit.
—New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024
Jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was locked in a safe upstairs.
—CBS News, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for upstairs
Dictionary Entries Near upstairs
Cite this Entry
“Upstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstairs. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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