1 : in or to a lower place than (something) : below or beneath (something) : underneath
▪ They couldn't climb over the wall, so they dug a hole under it. ▪ Draw a line under each word you don't know. ▪ We sat under a tree and rested a while. ▪ I'm wearing a sweater under my jacket. ▪ The ball rolled under the car. ▪ He had a mechanic check under the hood (of the car). ▪ How long can you hold your breath under water? ▪ There were 12 of us living under one roof. [=in one place] 2 : guided or managed by (a person or group)
▪ The cafe is under new management. ▪ The army captured three forts while under the general's command. ▪ She has 12 employees (working) under her. 3 : controlled or affected by (something)
▪ He has been under a lot of pressure/stress at work lately. ▪ The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow. [=the weight of the snow on the roof caused it to collapse] ▪ The work was done under the direction/guidance/supervision of an architect. [=an architect directed/guided/supervised the work] ▪ She was not under a doctor's care [=she did not have a doctor] at the time of the accident. ▪ Driving while under the influence of alcohol [=driving while drunk] is dangerous and illegal. ▪ You will be under anesthesia during the operation. ▪ I can't work under these conditions! ▪ I would never, under any circumstances, agree to do such a thing. ▪ The company was under no obligation [=was not obligated/required] to release the information. ▪ I was under the impression [=I thought] that admission was free. 4 : in a particular state or condition : affected by a particular process
▪ The police put her under arrest. [=the police arrested her] ▪ The house is under construction. [=is now being built] ▪ The incident is currently under investigation. [=is being investigated] ▪ His suggestion is still under discussion/consideration/review [=is still being discussed/considered/reviewed] by the committee. 5 : according to (something)
▪ Under the terms of the lease, rent will be due on the first of each month. ▪ They have fulfilled all their obligations under the treaty. 6 : within the group that has (a particular title or label)
▪ The purchase is listed under “debits.” ▪ Many of these foods would come under the heading (of) “delicacies” in certain parts of the world. 7 — used to say that a particular name is used to indicate something ▪ The table is reserved under my last name. 8 : less or lower than (a certain age, amount of money, etc.)
▪ All the children in the class are under the age of 14. ▪ We arrived in under an hour. ▪ You get all three items for under $10. 9 : hidden below (an outward appearance)
▪ Under that rough exterior, he is a kind and gentle man.