I. up ‧ per 1 W2 /ˈʌpə $ -er/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Origin: up ]
1 . in a higher position than something else OPP lower :
the upper lip
2 . near or at the top of something OPP lower :
the upper floors of a building
There is an upper age limit for becoming a pilot.
3 . have/gain the upper hand to have more power than someone else, so that you are able to control a situation:
Police have gained the upper hand over the drug dealers in the area.
4 . more important than other parts or ranks in an organization, system etc:
the upper echelons (=the most important members) of corporate management
5 . further from the sea or further north than other parts of an area:
the upper reaches of the Nile
⇨ a stiff upper lip at ↑ stiff 1 (10)
II. upper 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . the top part of a shoe that covers your foot:
leather uppers
2 . uppers [plural] informal illegal drugs that make you feel happy and give you a lot of energy SYN amphetamines
3 . be on your uppers British English old-fashioned to have very little money