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beyond

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adverb, preposition British English pronunciation: beyond /bɪˈjɒnd/
Beyond can be used in the following ways:
as a preposition (followed by a noun): the world beyond the prison wall
as an adverb (without a following noun): The empire extended to the River Danube and beyond.
 
  1. 1
    past a place or outside an area
    1. a.
      further away than something else

      He could see a line of cypress trees and, beyond it, a landscape of red hills.

      Traders looked eastwards to India and beyond.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  beyondThesaurus entry for this meaning of beyond
    2. b.
      outside a particular area

      By now Dr Barnard’s fame had spread far beyond South Africa.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  beyondThesaurus entry for this meaning of beyond
  2. 2
    outside the range or limits of a subject, quality, or activity

    Our knowledge does not extend much beyond these few facts.

    Scott pushed his men beyond the limits of human endurance.

    The government has introduced measures that go far beyond anything that was in their manifesto.

  3. 3
    used in negative sentences to mean ‘except’

    I know nothing about him beyond the fact that he used to work for the government.

    She had no income beyond what she could earn as a waitress.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  beyondThesaurus entry for this meaning of beyond
  4. 4
    after a time or age, or above an amount
    1. a.
      continuing after a particular time or date

      We aren’t attempting to plan ahead beyond the next two years.

      Some people will prefer to continue working beyond 65.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  beyondThesaurus entry for this meaning of beyond
    2. b.
      more than a particular amount or higher than a particular level

      Inflation had risen beyond 10%.

      She never went beyond Year 12 in school.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  beyondThesaurus entry for this meaning of beyond
  5. 5
    used for saying that something cannot be done

    The situation is already beyond our control.

    Martin was living in Brazil, beyond the reach of the British police.

    I’m afraid the watch is damaged beyond repair (=it cannot be repaired).

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This is the British English definition of beyond. View American English definition of beyond.

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