beyond

1 of 3

adverb

be·​yond bē-ˈänd 

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 beyond

—R. 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

Synonyms

Adverb

• farther
• further
• yon
• yonder

Preposition

• over
• past

Noun

• afterlife
• eternity
• hereafter
• immortality

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

Adverb

Chairlifts are beginning to spin across the Rockies and beyond—according to On the Snow, 18 ski areas have opened across the United States. —Frederick Dreier and Adam Roy, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

In 2024 and beyond, businesses operationalizing data will be better equipped to navigate complexities, forecast accurately and maintain a competitive edge. —Naveen Singh, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Preposition

The findings also highlight the need for using genetic analysis and tools from other scientific disciplines to fully understand the past of Pompeii and beyond. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

One of the primary reasons some astrophysicists propose there is a planet beyond Neptune has to do with odd orbits. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

Noun

Matthew Perry joins a heavenly chorus of pop stars—including Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and Whitney Houston—as the greatest earners in the great beyond. —Lisette Voytko-Best, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Respected members of the community witnessed and took seriously the sisters’ ability to tap into the beyond. —Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing beyond

• above and beyond
• above/beyond reproach
• above/beyond suspicion
• back of beyond
• beyond (all) expectations
• beyond (all) recognition
• beyond a reasonable doubt
• beyond a shadow of a doubt
• beyond bearing
• beyond belief
• beyond cavil
• beyond compare
• beyond comprehension
• beyond comprehension/understanding
• beyond description
• beyond dispute
• beyond doubt
• beyond endurance
• beyond help
• beyond hope
• beyond measure
• beyond number
• beyond one's comprehension
• beyond one's control
• beyond one's depth
• beyond one's wildest dreams/fantasies
• beyond/outside the bounds of possibility
• beyond/past redemption
• beyond price
• beyond question
• beyond recall
• beyond repair
• beyond retrieval
• beyond someone's grasp
• beyond someone's ken
• beyond someone's reach
• beyond the call of duty
• beyond the grave
• beyond the means of
• beyond the pale
• beyond the reach of
• circumstances beyond someone's control
• go beyond
• live beyond one's means
• live within/beyond one's means
• the back of beyond
• went beyond the call of duty

Kids Definition

beyond

1 of 2 adverb

be·​yond bē-ˈänd 

: 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