1
: to and fro
paced up and down
2
: so as to move upward and then downward repeatedly
jumping up and down
3
archaic
: here and there especially throughout an area
4
: with regard to every particular : thoroughly
knew the territory up and down
up and down
preposition
Examples of up-and-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 7 June 2025
This back-and-forth motion, coupled with the up-and-down motion, creates the analemma’s overall figure-eight shape.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025
William Goodman, Men's Health, 8 Apr. 2023
Councilmember Marcus Bush said that repealing the cruising ban was not just about being free to take a person’s ride up and down a city street.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for up-and-down
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Adjective
Messi has grown increasingly frustrated with Miami’s up-and-down form, though.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 7 June 2025
This back-and-forth motion, coupled with the up-and-down motion, creates the analemma’s overall figure-eight shape.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025
Adverb
On the courts of the Roundball Classic, Vaccaro forged connections with all kinds of coaches and athletes up and down the East Coast.
—William Goodman, Men's Health, 8 Apr. 2023
Councilmember Marcus Bush said that repealing the cruising ban was not just about being free to take a person’s ride up and down a city street.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for up-and-down
Cite this Entry
“Up-and-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-and-down. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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