below

1 preposition

1 in a lower place or position than, or on a lower level than: I'd like you to trim my hair just below the ears. | Fish were swimming below the surface of the water.

-see under 1

2 less than a particular number, amount, level etc: These families are living below the official poverty line. | Bank charges rose at a level slightly below that of inflation. | well/way below (=very much lower than): Sales figures for January were well below target. | below average (=not as good as the normal standard): Tom's spelling is well below average. | below freezing (=if the temperature is below freezing it is less than zero degrees)

3 in a lower, less important job than someone else: A captain is below a general.

2 adverb

1 in a lower place or position, or on a lower level: We looked down from the mountain at the valley below. | Jim lives on the fourth floor and Jean-Pierre is on the floor below.

2 on the lower level of a ship or boat: The Captain told the crew to go below.

3 less than a particular number, age, price etc: Children of three and below pay half fare.

4 10/15/20 below etc if a temperature is 10, 15, 20 below etc, it is that number of degrees lower than zero

5 mentioned or shown lower on the same page or on a later page: See p.85 below. | The information below was compiled by our correspondent.

6 in a lower, less important rank or job: officers of the rank of captain and below

7 literary on Earth rather than in Heaven