Legal Definitions - below

Definition: Below is a preposition, adverb, and adjective that means:

1. Beneath; under; underneath.
2. (Of a lower court) having heard or having the power to hear the case at issue in the first instance, for example, court below.
3. At a lower level, for example, the motion was heard below.

Examples:

• The cat is below the table.
• The case was heard in the court below.
• The basement is below the ground floor.

The first example illustrates the first definition of below, which means beneath or under. The second example illustrates the second definition of below, which means a lower court that has heard or has the power to hear the case at issue in the first instance. The third example illustrates the third definition of below, which means at a lower level.