1
a
b
: erect in carriage or posture
c
: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
upright freezer
2
: marked by strong moral rectitude
an upright citizen
uprightly
adverb
uprightness
noun
: vertically upward : in an upright position
1
: the state of being upright : perpendicular
a pillar out of upright
2
: something that stands upright
especially
: a football goalpost
—usually used in plural
3
Examples of upright in a Sentence
Adjective
Put your seat back in the upright position.
The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks.
Noun
The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Schober, Health, 13 May 2025
Adjustable feet offer stability even on uneven surfaces, while metal brackets and stakes ensure the cabinet stays upright without tipping or swaying.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 12 May 2025
Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025
The unpredictable terrain beneath my wheels shook my entire body, so that even keeping my head upright became a struggle, and our kind tour guide, Neng, had to steady my forehead.
—Cory Lee, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
Maggie Horton, People.com, 3 May 2025
And while the wooden chairs in the breakfast nook were lovingly worn-in, the uprights in the dining room hardly encouraged lingering.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upright
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Adjective
Make sure to maintain an upright torso and avoid leaning forward or backward.
—Laura Schober, Health, 13 May 2025
Adjustable feet offer stability even on uneven surfaces, while metal brackets and stakes ensure the cabinet stays upright without tipping or swaying.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 12 May 2025
Adverb
Build fitness gradually: Improve endurance with regular, low-impact exercise like walking or swimming.
Use proper posture: Stand upright and keep shoulders relaxed to allow better lung expansion.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025
The unpredictable terrain beneath my wheels shook my entire body, so that even keeping my head upright became a struggle, and our kind tour guide, Neng, had to steady my forehead.
—Cory Lee, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
The chairs fully recline and can be locked in an upright or laid back position, ensuring safety and stability.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 3 May 2025
And while the wooden chairs in the breakfast nook were lovingly worn-in, the uprights in the dining room hardly encouraged lingering.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upright
Cite this Entry
“Upright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upright. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upright
1 of 2 adjective
up·right
ˈəp-ˌrīt 
1
a
: vertical entry 1 sense 2
an upright posture
b
: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
2
: living by high moral standards : honorable
uprightness
noun
upright
2 of 2 noun1
: an upright or vertical position
2
: something upright
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