plateau

1 of 2

noun

pla·​teau pla-ˈtō 

ˈpla-ˌtō

plural plateaus also plateaux pla-ˈtōz 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• mesa
• highland
• tableland
• altiplano
• dome

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

The Dragon Bravo Fire and the White Sage Fire collectively burned over 200,000 acres on the Kaibab plateau, including areas where California condors have been known to roost. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025

With more than 16 years of presence in the plateau region, Chando has developed ecological cultivation models in partnership with local governments and universities, turning fragile ecosystems into laboratories for sustainable sourcing. —Li Jun, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025

Verb

Earlier seasons such as 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 peak above 60% by spring, while more recent years plateau lower. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025

Home prices are also starting to plateau and even drop in some markets. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for plateau

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

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 

plural plateaus also plateaux

-ˈtōz, -ˌtōz

: a relatively flat elevated area see tibial plateau