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

Slightly out of breath from stomping up the stairs, past the guests — who, as Daisy will tell Jason later, noticed something was up — Ellie tells Jason that Ben’s time mismanagement is setting her up to fail. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026

The mayor, her husband and bodyguards rushed quickly through the front door and, avoiding the elevator, walked up four flights of stairs to apartment #416. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

Liveried valets addressed me by name, whisked away my luggage, and accompanied me up a flight of stairs to the Waldorf’s signature bar and lobby lounge, Peacock Alley. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

Climbing up to the Statue of Liberty’s crown — open to ages 4 and up who can handle tight spiral stairs — is an adventure in itself. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for stair

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

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