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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Origin: | LOW1 |
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be‧low S2 W2
1 in a lower place or position, or on a lower level [≠ above]: 
Water was dripping onto the floor below.I could hear voices in the courtyard below my window. They camped a few hundred feet below the summit.
Water was dripping onto the floor below.I could hear voices in the courtyard below my window.They camped a few hundred feet below the summit.2 of a lower rank or having a less important job than someone else [≠ above]: No one below the level of senior manager was present at the meeting.
No one below the level of senior manager was present at the meeting.3 less than a particular number, amount, level etc [≠ above]: Test scores below 50 were classed as 'unsatisfactory'. In June the rate of inflation fell below 3%.
Test scores below 50 were classed as 'unsatisfactory'.In June the rate of inflation fell below 3%. below freezing/zero (=lower than the temperature at which water freezes) In winter, temperatures dip to 40 degrees below freezing.
In winter, temperatures dip to 40 degrees below freezing. and/or below free travel for children four years old and below
free travel for children four years old and below4TCN lower on the same page, or on a later page [≠ above]: Details of courses are listed below. For more information, see below.
Details of courses are listed below.For more information, see below.➔ below par
at par (2); ➔ below the belt
at belt1 (4)! below or under? ➔ see usage note underWORD CHOICE:WORD CHOICE: under, underneath, below, beneathUnder is the usual way to say that one thing is at a lower level than another, or is covered by it • Your shoes are under the table. • He lay under a blanket.Under is nearly always used as a preposition (followed by a noun).Underneath has a similar meaning to under, and is used especially when something is hidden or covered • a box underneath the floorboardsIt can also be used as an adverb • She lifted the cover and peeped underneath.Below is used when one thing is at a much lower level than another, and can be a preposition or an adverb • the apartment below ours • Mist lay in the valley below.Beneath can be used in the same ways as under and below, but is a more literary or formal word • beneath the silvery moon • the cliff, and the ocean beneath ➔ See also under
