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

The victim escaped after running down the stairs toward police, NBC 6 reported. —Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 22 July 2024

Namely, the top on the large kitchen island slides back to reveal a set of stairs leading down to your own personal speakeasy. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 19 July 2024

Potential riders are asked to acknowledge their party can climb up and down the stairs before purchasing tickets. —Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 18 July 2024

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, officers responded to a residence on Davis Drive on Jan. 9 for a medical call involving a report that a child had fallen down the stairs. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 July 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