Main Entry: ¹pla·teau

Pronunciation: \pla-ˈtō, ˈpla-ˌ\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural plateaus or pla·teaux \-ˈtōz, -ˌtōz\

Etymology: French, from Middle French, platter, from plat flat

Date: 1796

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>