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
plateaued; plateauing; plateaus
: to reach a level, period, or condition of stability or maximum attainment
Synonyms
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
Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 June 2024
The thin yet widespread layers of water frost were discovered atop three of Mars' Tharsis volcanoes, located on a plateau at the planet's equator, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 10 June 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for plateau 
Noun
The first is the artificial-intelligence boom that, for the first time in two years, may be hitting a plateau, at least in terms of stock valuation.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 June 2024
The thin yet widespread layers of water frost were discovered atop three of Mars' Tharsis volcanoes, located on a plateau at the planet's equator, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 10 June 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
See all Example Sentences for plateau
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plateau.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near plateau
Cite this Entry
“Plateau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plateau. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
plateau
noun
pla·teau
pla-ˈtō, ˈpla-ˌ
plural plateaus also plateaux
-ˈtōz, -ˌtōz
: a relatively flat elevated area see tibial plateau
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share