beyond

be|yond¹ W1S2 [bıˈjɔnd US -ˈja:nd] prep, adv

[: Old English; Origin: begeondan, from geondan 'beyond', from geond; YONDER]

1.) on or to the further side of something

▪ They crossed the mountains and headed for the valleys beyond.

▪ Beyond the river, cattle were grazing.

▪ She drove through Westport, and stopped a few miles beyond at a wayside inn.

2.) later than a particular time, date etc

= ↑after

▪ What changes await us in the coming year and beyond?

▪ The ban has been extended beyond 2003.

▪ The disco went on until beyond midnight.

3.) more or greater than a particular amount, level, or limit

▪ More people are choosing to work beyond retirement age.

▪ Inflation has risen beyond the 5% level.

4.) outside the range or limits of something or someone

▪ Such tasks are far beyond the scope of the average schoolkid.

▪ expensive luxuries that are beyond the reach of ordinary people

5.) used to say that something is impossible to do

beyond repair/control/belief etc

(=impossible to repair, control, believe etc)

▪ Scott's equipment was damaged beyond repair.

▪ The town centre had changed beyond all recognition.

▪ Due to circumstances beyond our control the performance has had to be cancelled.

6.) be beyond sb

to be too difficult for someone to understand

▪ The whole problem was quite beyond him.

▪ Why Joan ever married such an idiot in the first place is beyond me.

7.) used to mean 'except' in negative sentences

▪ Fred owns nothing beyond the clothes on his back.

▪ I can't tell you anything beyond what you know already.

beyond ²

beyond² n

the beyond

literary whatever comes after this life