plateau

1 of 2

noun

pla·​teau pla-ˈtō How to pronounce plateau (audio)
ˈpla-ˌtō
plural plateaus also plateaux pla-ˈtōz How to pronounce plateau (audio)
ˈpla-ˌtōz
1
a
: a usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side : tableland
b
: a similar undersea feature
2
a
: a region of little or no change in a graphic representation
b
: a relatively stable level, period, or condition
3
: a level of attainment or achievement
the 500-point plateau

plateau

2 of 2

verb

plateaued; plateauing; plateaus

intransitive verb

: to reach a level, period, or condition of stability or maximum attainment

Examples of plateau in a Sentence

Noun a plateau covering hundreds of miles The price of gas seems to have reached a plateau. Verb Sales of computers have plateaued in recent years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Since then it’s been an emotional roller coaster for Democrats, who saw Harris surge only to plateau in the final month of the campaign. Amie Parnes, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024 Crochet was one of 11 hurlers to surpass the 200-strikeout plateau, whiffing 209 hitters in 146 innings. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Alternatively, flu cases could plateau for a while. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2022 Rising grain and corn costs eliminate some of the hope that inflation could plateau in the second half of the year. Patrick Thomas and Alistair MacDonald, WSJ, 6 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for plateau 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, platter, from plat flat

First Known Use

Noun

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plateau was in 1743

Dictionary Entries Near plateau

Cite this Entry

“Plateau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plateau. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

plateau

noun
pla·​teau
pla-ˈtō,
ˈpla-ˌtō
plural plateaus or plateaux
-ˈtōz,
-ˌtōz
1
: a broad flat area of high land
2
: a stable level, period, or condition
Etymology

Noun

from French plateau "flat land raised above the surrounding land," from early French plateau "platter, plate"

Medical Definition

plateau

noun
pla·​teau pla-ˈtō, ˈpla-ˌ How to pronounce plateau (audio)
plural plateaus also plateaux
-ˈtōz, -ˌtōz
: a relatively flat elevated area see tibial plateau

More from Merriam-Webster on plateau

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