beyond

American  

[bee-ond, bih-yond] / biˈɒnd, bɪˈyɒnd /

preposition

1. on, at, or to the farther side of.

   Beyond those trees you'll find his house.

2. farther on than; more distant than.

   beyond the horizon;

   beyond the sea.

3. outside the understanding, limits, or reach of; past.

   beyond comprehension;

   beyond endurance;

   beyond help.

4. superior to; surpassing; above.

   wise beyond all others.

5. more than; in excess of; over and above.

   to stay beyond one's welcome.

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adverb

1. farther on or away.

   as far as the house and beyond.

idioms

1. the beyond,

   1. that which is at a great distance.

   2. Also the great beyond the afterlife; life after death.

beyond British  

/ bɪˈjɒnd /

preposition

1. at or to a point on the other side of; at or to the further side of

   beyond those hills there is a river

2. outside the limits or scope of

   beyond this country's jurisdiction

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adverb

1. at or to the other or far side of something

2. outside the limits of something

noun

1. the unknown; the world outside the range of human perception, esp life after death in certain religious beliefs

beyond More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing beyond

• above and beyond
• back of beyond
• can't see beyond the end of one's nose

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Other Word Forms

• beyondness noun

Etymology

Origin of beyond

First recorded before 1000; Middle English beyonden, Old English begeondan. See be-, yond (adverb)

Explanation

Beyond is an adverb that means “in addition” or “farther along." If you’re headed to the silo beyond the barn, that means you’re going to the silo that’s on the far side of the barn. Beyond is related to the word yonder, which you might have heard in expressions like, “Over yonder hill, you’ll see a picket fence.” Yonder kind of means “that one over there, in the distance.” Beyond is past yonder. If you’re going above and beyond, it means you’re doing more than was expected. If you’re beyond Kelly in your math homework, it means you’ve done more than she has. And if the show was beyond your expectations, it was better than you had hoped.

Example Sentences

While AI has improved the return on digital ad spending, Nathanson said Meta’s ability to make inroads beyond consumer-driven end markets is “open for debate.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

“More than half of major U.S. metropolitan markets posted year-over-year price declines in February, signaling that the housing slowdown has broadened well beyond its Sun Belt origins,” said Nicholas Godec at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The column contends that the solution requires building civic infrastructure through trusted messengers who explain project significance, community organizations that provide plain-language guidance, and alternative participation methods beyond weekday government meetings.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Wall Street has already decided to move beyond war, betting that a lasting cease-fire is likely.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

You pass the picnic tables, half-full of young families and Elders, move beyond the counter even though your stomach grumbles, the music pulling you toward the back of the building.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith