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

Nestled between two cliffs, the beach is only accessible by descending a steep flight of stairs that have been carved into the cliffside. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

An officer grabbed Özer, and the young CEO, now wearing a white polo shirt, was handcuffed, escorted down a short flight of stairs, shuttled into an unmarked white van, and driven into the night. —Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024

The boy’s death was initially reported as an accidental fall down a flight of stairs. —Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

The stairs that took us there were numerous, rocky and unlevel. —Lauren Depino, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024

Several rooms on the ground floor spill out to the backyard, and stairs provide access to a long balcony on the upper level. —Mark David, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

Who cares where the stairs lead when they're flanked by hydrangeas? —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

Accessibility: Wheelchair users can enter the restaurant using a removable ramp, but the restrooms are cramped and stairs lead to the second-floor dining room. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 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 stepper
• stair climber
• stair climbing

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