Plateau Meaning
/ˈplætəʊ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA largely level expanse of land at a high elevation; tableland.
nounA comparatively stable level after a period of increase. (of a varying quantity)
Sentence Examples
What is the altitude of the plateau?
It's pleasant to take a walk on the plateau.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After climbing for hours, they reached a flat ____ with great views.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After years of rapid growth, the company's sales reached a ____ and remained flat for two years.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French plateau, diminutive of plat (“a plate”); see plate. Doublet of platter.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Childhood obesity, rising for more than two decades, appears to have hit a plateau, a potentially significant milestone in the battle against excessive weight gain among children."
— 2008 May 28, Tara Parker-Pope, “Hint of Hope as Child Obesity Rate Hits Plateau”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
"Mr. [Jensen] Huang is nevertheless correct. Adoption has plateaued."
— 2026 February 21, David Streitfeld, “People Loved the Dot-Com Boom. The A.I. Boom, Not So Much.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After climbing for hours, they reached a flat ____ with great views.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After years of rapid growth, the company's sales reached a ____ and remained flat for two years.