upriver

American  

[uhp-riv-er] / ˈʌpˈrɪv ər /

adverb

1. in the direction of or nearer the source of a river.

   It's hard to paddle a canoe upriver; an upriver settlement of tribes.

---

upriver British  

/ ˈʌpˈrɪvə /

adjective

1. towards or near the source of a river

---

noun

1. an area located upstream

Etymology

Origin of upriver

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; up- + river ¹

Example Sentences

Dozens of Wisconsinites volunteer each spring to keep watch against poachers as the sturgeon make their way upriver to spawn; thousands more come to watch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

With the leak's Maryland location upriver from Washington, much of it found its way to the waters skirting the US capital.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

We’re not like the Chinook salmon that seek out upriver spawning zones or feline species that go into heat each spring and summer.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

Whilst bears are generally solitary, this one was heading to feast with others on the glut of sockeye salmon migrating upriver from the Pacific to their origin lake to spawn.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

"We won't be crossing here. Ross, you'll come with me upriver, look for a ford. Woth, Gerren, you go downstream. The rest o' you wait here. Put a guard out."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin