beyond

American  

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

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

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Etymology

Origin of beyond

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

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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

See Examples For:

beyond

The department said the new policy announced Wednesday “builds upon” the one announced two years ago and extends beyond deputy gangs and hate groups to include “any unauthorized clique.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

The pair enjoyed a companionate union for a brief but promising time before their partnership ultimately succumbed to events far beyond their control.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Then, whether buyers return to semiconductor stocks that have borne the worst of the selling, and whether any recovery extends beyond a handful of top-tier tech names.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

But the centres also need power sources, intensive cooling systems, and old-fashioned construction, plumbing and electrical work, all providing money and jobs for local communities and beyond.

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

Moments later we were through the gate and out into the park beyond, the snow bright with moonshine, and the whole world silent and peaceful about us.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

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