stair

noun

ˈster 

1

: a series of steps or flights of steps for passing from one level to another

—often used in plural but singular or plural in construction

a narrow private stairs

—Lewis Mumford

2

: a single step of a stairway

Examples of stair in a Sentence

She ran down the stairs.

He waited at the foot of the stairs.

She slipped and fell down the stairs.

The stairs lead to the roof.

We had to climb another flight of stairs to get to the roof.

He tripped on the bottom stair and almost fell.

Recent Examples on the Web

This family-style restaurant serves a set menu of fish stew and grilled whole fish, just up the stairs from the bustling Marché Central de Poisson. —Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024

Lou Lou’s can be entered down a flight of stairs from the Lafayette lobby or through the bar at the corner of Mississippi Street and El Cajon Boulevard. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English steir, from Old English stǣger; akin to Old English & Old High German stīgan to rise, Greek steichein to walk

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stair

• stair climber
• stair climbing
• stair stepper

Kids Definition

stair

noun

ˈsta(ə)r 

ˈste(ə)r

1

: a series of steps or flights of steps for passing from one level to another

—often used in plural

ran down the stairs

2

: one step of a stairway