upper

Upper is a versatile term used as an adjective, noun, and in technical phrases to indicate something positioned higher, above, or more developed than another element. Its core sense is relative: located above in space, rank, level, or degree.

In geography and everyday usage, upper denotes higher elevation or upstream location. Examples include the Upper Midwest region of the United States and Upper Egypt, the southern portion of the Nile valley named for its upstream position along the river. In anatomy and physiology, upper refers to structures toward the top or proximal end, such as the upper limb (the arm) and the upper respiratory tract. In botany, the term may describe the upper surface of a leaf, contrasted with the lower surface. It is also used in common phrases like the upper floors of a building.

In manufacturing and fashion, the upper or upper part of an item refers to the exterior or uppermost portion, such as the upper of a shoe. In linguistics and typography, uppercase letters are often called the upper case, a legacy of case-based printing. In education, the upper school is the part of a school serving the higher grade levels, typically for adolescents. In politics, the upper house denotes the more senior chamber in a bicameral legislature.

Etymologically, upper derives from Old English upp, meaning upward, and has broadened through various domains to describe higher position or degree across disciplines.