multistage

[ muhl-ti-steyj ]

adjective

1. (of a rocket or guided missile) having more than one stage.

multistage

/ ˈmʌltɪˌsteɪdʒ /

adjective

1. (of a rocket or missile) having several stages, each of which can be jettisoned after it has burnt out
2. (of a turbine, compressor, or supercharger) having more than one rotor
3. (of any process or device) having more than one stage

Word History and Origins

Origin of multistage¹

First recorded in 1900–05; multi- + stage

Example Sentences

When the National Gallery of Art finishes its multistage comeback with Friday’s reopening of its East Building, it will not require fully vaccinated visitors to wear masks, and it will not seek proof of their vaccine status.

From Washington Post

NASA refers to the landing protocol as "seven minutes of terror" due to its complicated, multistage nature, all of which is run under automated guidance.

From Ars Technica