stair

American  

[stair] / stɛər /

noun

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.

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stair British  

/ stɛə /

noun

1. one of a flight of stairs

2. a series of steps

   a narrow stair

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Other Word Forms

• stairless adjective
• stairlike adjective

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

Example Sentences

That could include outstanding medical bills from the past six years, in-home care or safety upgrades like wheelchair access, modifying a bathroom or adding a stair lift to a home.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

Passive measures include multiple remote exits, protected stair enclosures, compartmentalization, smoke-tight doors and interior linings that resist ignition and limit heat release.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

The party counters with its own riff on what it sees as its greatest hits – they had one for every stair between the ground and first floor of the conference centre.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

Research indicates that even short bursts of physical activity, like stair climbing, contribute to cardiovascular fitness.

From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025

“We’ll see you in a little while,” he said, and then I heard their footsteps dying on the stair.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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