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

• 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

While visiting a mountain plateau, researchers found over a dozen pink crabs and several more brownish purple crabs, the study said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024

Advertisement Los Alamitos 6, Fountain Valley 4: The Griffins (20-5) reached the 20-win plateau. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

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

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