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

Since then it’s been an emotional roller coaster for Democrats, who saw Harris surge only to plateau in the final month of the campaign. —Amie Parnes, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Crochet was one of 11 hurlers to surpass the 200-strikeout plateau, whiffing 209 hitters in 146 innings. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Alternatively, flu cases could plateau for a while. —Emily Anthes, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2022

Rising grain and corn costs eliminate some of the hope that inflation could plateau in the second half of the year. —Patrick Thomas and Alistair MacDonald, WSJ, 6 Mar. 2022

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