Stair Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：a step in a staircase (stair)

stair 🔊

/stɛər/

One of a series of steps that allow people to go from one level or floor of a building to another.

Modern wooden stair steps in an apartment with handrail and natural light

a step in a staircase 🔊

➕

/ə stɛp ɪn ə ˈstɛr.keɪs/

A stair is one of a series of steps that allow movement between different levels or floors in a building.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'stæger', related to 'stīgan' (to climb).

💡 Mnemonic

Say 'stair' like 'stay-er' — a place where you stay while stepping up.

📖 Example

I found a secret door behind an old bookshelf that led to a narrow, winding stair going up to the attic in the library. 🔊 I found a secret door behind an old bookshelf that led to a narrow, winding stair going up to the attic in the library.

🔗 Collocations

stair tread – the horizontal surface of a single stair step

stair rail – the handrail alongside a staircase

stair landing – a flat platform at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs

🔄 Synonyms

step (n.) – A single flat surface in a staircase, identical in meaning to stair.

stairway (n.) – A passage or way consisting of a series of stairs.

staircase (n.) – A structure containing a flight of stairs and its supporting elements.

🌱 Derivatives

staircase (n.) – a set of stairs and its enclosing structure

stairway (n.) – a passage with stairs

stairwell (n.) – a vertical shaft containing a staircase

📖 Cultural Story

Stair derives from Proto-Germanic *staigri, meaning 'to rise'. Originally signifying a single step, its usage expanded to denote a flight of steps in medieval architecture.