above

preposition

• 1in extended space over and not touching:a display of fireworks above the town a cable runs above the duct
• extending upwards over:she held her arms above her head
• higher than and to one side of; overlooking:in the hills above the capital on the wall above the altar

• 2at a higher level or layer than:from his flat above the corner shop bruises above both eyes
• higher in grade or rank than:at a level above the common people
• considered of higher status or worth than; too good for:she married above her
• in preference to:the firm cynically chose profit above car safety
• at a higher volume or pitch than:he seldom spoke above a whisper the doorbell went unheard above the din

• 3higher than (a specified amount, rate, or norm):the food was well above average above sea level

adverb

• at a higher level or layer:place a quantity of mud in a jar with water above
• higher in grade or rank:an officer of the rank of superintendent or above
• higher than a specified amount, rate, or norm:boats of 31 ft or above
• (in printed text) mentioned earlier or further up on the same page:the two cases described above see above left [as adjective]:at the above address [as noun]:since writing the above, I have reconsidered