ENGLISH
REFERENCE

staircase

n.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈstɛɹˌkeɪs// UK //stˈeəkeɪs// stair·case

n. a set of stairs inside a building that lets you walk from one floor to another. Staircases usually have a handrail to hold on to for support.

n. a structure containing a set of steps for passing from one level of a building to another, often including railings.


SIMPLE

The old house has a creaky wooden staircase.

CONTEXTUAL

Be careful walking down the spiral staircase; the steps are quite narrow.

COMPLEX

Sunlight from the tall window illuminated the dust motes dancing in the air above the grand marble staircase.

Synonyms
Origin

Middle English stair + case, attested around 1620. The two elements have held their shape in English for four centuries.

Idioms2 entries

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