noun
Uncommon
plateau
PLA-toh
Plateau (noun) means a large area of relatively flat, elevated land. Example: “The road climbs steeply before opening onto a wide plateau.”
noun
1
A large area of relatively flat, elevated land.
"The road climbs steeply before opening onto a wide plateau."
"Sheep graze across the high plateau all summer."
"Farmers grow wheat on the plateau, where the soil is flat and fertile."
2
A period during which something that was rising levels off and stays roughly stable.
"His weight loss hit a plateau after the first month."
"After rapid progress, my running speed reached a plateau."
"Prices rose quickly and then settled onto a long plateau."
verb
1
To stop rising or improving and level off at a stable point.
"Sales plateaued after the initial launch surge."
"Her test scores plateaued despite weeks of extra study."
"If your progress plateaus, try changing your routine."
How to use plateau
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA high flat area of land, or a point where progress levels off instead of continuing to rise.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reach a plateau
high plateau
plateau off
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Word forms
- Plural
- plateaus, plateaux
- Third person singular
- plateaus
- Past tense
- plateaued
Fill the gap
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The road climbs steeply before opening onto a wide _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from French plateau, a diminutive of plat, "flat" — the same root as "plate."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for plateau
See all rhymes for plateau →Frequently asked questions
What does “plateau” mean?
The word “plateau” means a large area of relatively flat, elevated land. In plain terms, a high flat area of land, or a point where progress levels off instead of continuing to rise.
How do you pronounce “plateau”?
“Plateau” is pronounced PLA-toh (/plæˈtoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “plateau” in a sentence?
Here is “plateau” used in a sentence: “The road climbs steeply before opening onto a wide plateau.”
What part of speech is “plateau”?
Depending on how it is used, “plateau” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “plateau” come from?
The word “plateau” comes from French. Borrowed from French plateau, a diminutive of plat, "flat" — the same root as "plate.".
Is “plateau” a common word?
“Plateau” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “plateau” have?
“Plateau” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large area of relatively flat, elevated land.
What is the difference between a plateau and a plain?
A plateau is a large area of flat land that sits elevated above the surrounding terrain, whereas a plain is flat land at a lower elevation, often at or near sea level. The defining feature of a plateau is its height, not just its flatness.
What does it mean when progress plateaus?
When progress plateaus, it means something that was previously rising or improving, such as weight loss, sales, or skill development, has stopped increasing and has leveled off at a stable point rather than continuing to grow.
Is plateau used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, plateau works as a noun describing either the landform or the period of stability, and as a verb meaning to stop rising and level off, as in "sales plateaued after the initial launch."
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