staircase

American  

[stair-keys] / ˈstɛərˌkeɪs /

noun

1. a flight of stairs with its framework, banisters, etc., or a series of such flights.

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staircase British  

/ ˈstɛəˌkeɪs /

noun

1. a flight of stairs, its supporting framework, and, usually, a handrail or banisters

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Etymology

Origin of staircase

First recorded in 1615–25; stair + case ²

Compare meaning

How does staircase compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• stairwell vs. staircase

Example Sentences

The soldiers of the Typhoon unit work in a basement filled with heaps of kit and cables, reached via a handmade wooden staircase.

From BBC

The central staircase, marble with brass banisters, decorated with fresh flowers in summer and wreaths in winter, was missing treads.

From Literature

On “Folded,” Kehlani toggles between contrite and commanding, weaving her vocals around a guitar line that moves like a Slinky tumbling down a staircase.

From The Wall Street Journal

I dash down one staircase, then another, taking the final five steps in a single airborne leap.

From Literature

Mamá lets out a wail that I can hear as I am huffing and puffing up the tall staircase to our apartment after returning home from school.

From Literature

Related Words

• access
• avenue
• corridor
• door
• doorway
• entry
• entryway
• gate
• hall
• hallway
• lobby
• opening
• passageway
• porch
• port