staging area

American  

noun

1. an area, as a port of embarkation, where troops are assembled and readied for transit to a new field of operations.

2. any area or place serving as a point of assembly or preparation on the way to a destination.

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staging area British  

noun

1. a general locality used as a checkpoint or regrouping area for military formations in transit

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Etymology

Origin of staging area

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Embassy staff hostages nearly 46 years ago—had failed dramatically after a series of mishaps, punctuated by a fiery crash at a desert staging area.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

An initial staging area, which was in the path of the evacuation route and the fire, was consumed within 30 minutes, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2025

The initial staging area, which was in the path of the evacuation route and the fire, was consumed by flames within 30 minutes, the report said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

DHS told the BBC that the guarded area is home to one of their offices and authorities were using it "as a staging area and rioters found it".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2025

I tried to shove all doubts aside as we arrived through a side entrance to a staging area inside the old capitol, still unable to see what was going on out front.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama