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

Lujan told investigators her granddaughter had fallen down the stairs, according to ABC15. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

According to the outlet, Princess Kate had ascended the stairs for a closer look at the cockpit and appeared to assure her guide that her shoes wouldn't stop her. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

That’s where dog stairs can come in handy. —Christine Persaud, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025

For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park farther away from your destination. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 2 Oct. 2025

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