plateau

Etymology

Borrowed from French plateau, diminutive of plat (“a plate”); see plate.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈplætəʊ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /plæˈtoʊ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophones: plateaux

Noun

plateau (plural plateaus or plateaux)

1. A largely level expanse of land at a high elevation; tableland.
2. A comparatively stable level in something that varies.
3. (dated) An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.
4. (sports, broadcasting) A notable level of attainment or achievement.

Verb

plateau (third-person singular simple present plateaus, present participle plateauing, simple past and past participle plateaued)

1. (intransitive) To reach a stable level; to level off.

Etymology

Borrowed from French plateau, diminutive of plat (“a plate”); see English plate.

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pla‧teau

Noun

plateau n (plural plateaus, diminutive plateautje n)

1. plateau

Etymology

plat +‎ -eau

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pla.to/

• plateau

  (file)

Noun

plateau m (plural plateaux)

1. flat area
2. tray
3. (geography) plateau
4. stage (in theatre); set (of television broadcast)

Further reading

• “plateau” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Anagrams

• épaulât