# plateau

/pɫæˈtoʊ/ (US) · /plˈætəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plateau
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. high flat land

noun · CEFR B2

a large area of flat land that is high above sea level.

For teachers: an extensive area of relatively level high ground; a tableland.

- The hikers finally reached the plateau and could see for miles across the flat ground.
- The Tibetan Plateau is often referred to as the Roof of the World due to its immense elevation and vast scale.

### 2. period of no progress

noun · CEFR B2

a time when something stops increasing or improving after it has been growing.

For teachers: a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress.

- After losing ten pounds quickly, my weight reached a plateau and stayed the same for weeks.
- The company's stock price hit a plateau in the third quarter as investors waited for news of the new product launch.

### 4. ornamental tray

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a decorative tray or dish used for holding items on a table.

For teachers: an ornamental dish or tray for the table, typically used in formal settings.

- The silver plateau held a variety of expensive fruits at the center of the dining table.
- The museum's collection includes a gilded bronze plateau from the Napoleonic era, designed to reflect candlelight during state banquets.

## Examples

- My weight loss reached a plateau after three months.
- After six months of rapid improvement, her tennis game hit a plateau where she struggled to learn new techniques.
- Economists worry that the current industrial plateau suggests a structural limit to growth that cannot be overcome without significant technological innovation or policy reform.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.