key stage

British

noun

education any one of four broad age-group divisions (5–7; 7–11; 11–14; 14–16) to which each level of the National Curriculum applies

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After losing key players to injury on previous international breaks, Arteta will be happy about the caution being shown with his stars at such a key stage of the season.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Participants had a median age of 20 years, placing the focus squarely on young adults during a key stage of habit formation.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

Waste is a key stage in global food systems and one that also has a significant ecological impact.

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2024

Not everyone who applies is accepted; the State Department noted that about 50% of applicants do not qualify when their applications are reviewed at a key stage early in the process.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 1, 2023

The group argues lowering the voting age would engage teenagers in the political process at a key stage in their lives.

From Reuters • Mar. 3, 2015

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023