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stair

American  
[stair] / stɛər /

noun

  • stairs
    plural
  1. one of a flight or series of steps for going from one level to another, as in a building.

  2. stairs, such steps collectively, especially as forming a flight or a series of flights.

    I was so excited I ran all the way up the stairs.

  3. a series or flight of steps; stairway.

    a winding stair.


stair British  
/ stɛə /

noun

  1. one of a flight of stairs

  2. a series of steps

    a narrow stair

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns


Etymology

Origin of stair

before 1000; Middle English stey ( e ) r, Old English stǣger; cognate with Dutch, Low German steiger landing; akin to sty 1


Vocabulary lists containing stair

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.

See Examples For:

An early riser who starts many mornings with knuckle push-ups and stair climbing, Foran, 65, is often at the office by 6 a.m.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

They also say future studies should use wearable technology to track physical activity more precisely and help determine the most effective amount of stair climbing to recommend.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Despite "training five hours a day" and "running, walking, biking, stair climbing," she told the show she had no other choice but to "try something different".

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

She finished by painting the handrail a bright blue and wrapping each stair with a Persian-style runner.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026

Gebu was just turning to climb the stair but, in the instant before the angle of the stairway hid him, Ranofer glimpsed a bundle under his arm.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Muscle power reflects the ability to produce force quickly, which is important for activities such as jumping, climbing stairs, and maintaining mobility.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

"I couldn't even get up the stairs, I was just broken," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

The 6-foot-5 soccer star who had just charmed America carried his little friend up the stairs, strode onto the aircraft and wedged him into a business-class seat to cross the Atlantic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

My muscles burned and my back screamed as I raced up and down the stairs, dragging the hose around door frames.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Below I heard doors slamming, heavy footsteps on the stairs.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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