plateau
pla-TOH
/plæˈtoʊ/
An area of relatively level high ground, or a state of little or no growth following activity.
Refers to physical high flat tableland, or figuratively to a stage where progress levels off.
The story behind the word. In Old French, 'plat' meant flat or shallow (from Greek 'platys', broad). The diminutive 'plateau' described a flat serving board or dish, and cartographers in the 18th century borrowed it to describe broad, elevated flatlands that resembled large tables.
Word relationships
- tableland: 'Tableland' is a literal geographical term for elevated flat ground.
- mesa: A mesa is an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, smaller than a broad plateau.
- valley: A valley is low land between hills, whereas a plateau is elevated flat land.
Commonly confused with
- plain: A plain is flat land at low elevation, while a plateau is elevated high above surrounding sea level.
Word family
- plateaued (verb (past tense)): Reached a stable state without changes or progress.
Collocations
- high plateau
- reach a plateau
- Tibetan plateau
- volcanic plateau
Idioms & expressions
- hit a plateau (reach a point where progress levels off)
Example sentences
- "Crossing the vast plateau of Tibet tested every man and animal in the expedition." Travel and exploration
- "After weeks of rapid vocabulary growth, language learners often hit a temporary plateau." Learning and growth
Memory hook
PLATEAU sounds like 'PLATE' — flat as a dinner plate elevated high up. High, flat tableland.
When not to use
Do not use for low-lying flat plains or sharp mountain peaks.
Fun facts
- The Tibetan Plateau is nicknamed the 'Roof of the World' and is larger than Western Europe.
Related words
Also appears in
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