plateau
Plateau (noun) means a large area of relatively flat, elevated land. Example: “The road climbs steeply before opening onto a wide plateau.”
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.
Word forms
plateaued past tense, plateaus plural, plateaux plural, plateaus singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
View more →Related words
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."
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include plateau: