Word
staircase
Phoneticsstair·case, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɛɹˌkeɪs/
UK/stˈeəkeɪs/
Definitions
01stairs in a building
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a set of stairs inside a building that you use to go from one floor to another.
n. a series of steps and their supporting structure, including the banisters and landings, used for vertical circulation within a building.
“The hotel has a beautiful wooden staircase that leads up to the guest rooms.”
“The grand marble staircase served as the architectural centrepiece of the foyer, sweeping upwards in a graceful curve toward the gallery.”
02canal locks
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. a series of locks on a canal that are built one after another like steps.
n. a series of canal locks where the lower gate of one lock serves as the upper gate of the next, allowing boats to change elevation.
“It took the boat nearly two hours to pass through the five-lock staircase.”
“The engineering team inspected the staircase locks to ensure the masonry could withstand the increased water pressure during the spring floods.”
Synonyms
03to change a signal
C2 · Proficiency Computing Technical
v. to change a smooth line or signal into a series of sharp steps.
v. to modify a continuous signal or mathematical curve into a discrete series of steps or increments.
“The software will staircase the data to make it easier to read on the chart.”
“By staircasing the analogue input, the processor can more effectively categorise the voltage fluctuations into distinct digital states.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “staircase” in context.
Verb
01. climb the staircase
“We had to climb the long staircase to reach the top floor of the museum.”
verb + noun
02. descend the staircase
“The bride looked beautiful as she began to descend the staircase.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. spiral staircase
“The old castle has a narrow spiral staircase that leads to the tower.”
adj + noun
04. steep staircase
“Be careful because it is a very steep staircase with no handrail.”
adj + noun
05. wooden staircase
“The wooden staircase creaked every time someone walked up it.”
adj + noun
Preposition
06. at the foot of the staircase
“I waited for my friend at the foot of the staircase in the lobby.”
prep + noun + prep + noun
07. at the top of the staircase
“There is a large mirror hanging at the top of the staircase.”
prep + noun + prep + noun
Etymology
Middle English stair + case, attested around 1620. The two elements have held their shape in English for four centuries.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
02. staircase wit
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/staircase