plateau

noun

pla·teau | \ pla-ˈtō

, ˈpla-ˌtō\

plural plateaus also plateaux\ pla-ˈtōz

, ˈpla-ˌtōz \

Definition of plateau

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

verb

plateaued; plateauing; plateaus

Definition of plateau (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about plateau

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Synonyms for plateau

Synonyms: Noun

altiplano, mesa, table, tableland

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: Noun

Then the process moves on to an intermediate noise level plateau, when the valve is being fully opened. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Using Physics To Build a Quieter Airplane Toilet," 5 Apr. 2019 Like many buyers on the plateau, the Paulys bought their home furnished—including everything in the refrigerator—and even bought the former owners’ car. — Beth Decarbo, WSJ, "Vacation Homes That Feel Like Summer Camp," 14 Feb. 2019 The plateau’s amber bricks stand amid vast gardens of green and pillars of stone. — Cian Maheer, Washington Post, "From Ancestor Glade to Hyrule Castle, these are the eight wonders of the virtual world," 4 June 2019 While former Vice President Joe Biden (D., Del.) enjoyed an exceptional increase in support following his latest presidential campaign announcement on April 25th, more recent polls suggest a popularity plateau. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Has Biden Peaked?," 31 May 2019 Wochit, Wochit Excitement is brewing for lottery hopefuls as the Mega Millions jackpot climbs over the $500 million plateau for the first time since Oct. 23, 2018. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "Here's everything you need to know about the $530M Mega Millions lottery drawing," 24 May 2019 The population of the tiny Texan town, which sits high on a Chihuahua Desert plateau, hovers around 2,000. — Vogue, "Online Ceramics Tees, Cowboy Hats, and Marbled Tie-Dye: The Best Street Style From Marfa Myths," 16 May 2019 Vignon clearly relishes being at the center of the storm, with reporters now beating a path to the Vercors plateau in southeastern France where the portly priest ministers. — John Leicester, Fox News, "In France, rebel priest takes on church bosses on sex abuse," 6 Sep. 2018 The four-hour round trip walk begins in an old growth forest, and ends at the two majestic namesake lakes; poised on a pumiced plateau, there are wildflowers, elk, and plenty of views. — Jenna Scatena, Condé Nast Traveler, "Three Best Day Trips from Seattle," 17 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

New data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association suggests opioid addiction rates are finally plateauing. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Opioid addiction is plateauing. But the crisis isn’t over.," 23 July 2018 As sales plateaued in the middle of the decade, Hasbro tried to add life to the franchise by giving Joe an adversary. — Maude Campbell, Popular Mechanics, "Yo, Joe: How a 12-Inch Soldier Doll Became a Toy Legend," 9 Apr. 2019 Meanwhile, a gauge of U.S. home-builder confidence plateaued in September after declining for much of 2018. — Sarah Chaney, WSJ, "U.S. New-Home Sales Bounced Back in August," 26 Sep. 2018 Ditto Japan, where early progress under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has plateaued. — Andrew Peaple, WSJ, "Investors in Asia Need All the Help They Can Get," 5 Dec. 2018 Because fuel-efficiency gains are plateauing, manufacturers like Boeing and Lockheed Martin are now starting to put money on a supersonic comeback. — Jon Sindreu, WSJ, "Airbus Shows Danger of Wanting It Bigger and Faster," 14 Feb. 2019 Studies show the share of female doctors who have passed the national medical exam has plateaued at around 30 percent for more than 20 years, leading some experts to suspect that other medical schools also discriminate against women. — Mari Yamaguchi, The Seattle Times, "Japan medical school confirms altering scores to limit women," 7 Aug. 2018 Values of properties owned by U.S. real-estate investment trusts have plateaued over the past 18 months, although some sectors, like industrial property, are doing better than others. — Peter Grant And, WSJ, "Real-Estate IPO to Test Investor Faith in Economic Expansion," 24 July 2018 The construction of new apartment buildings looks to be on the decline, and rents -- particularly at the high end -- have plateaued. — Elliot Njus, OregonLive.com, "Portland-area population growth slows to lowest level since 2013, Census Bureau says," 21 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plateau.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.