staircase

American  

[stair-kays] / ˈstɛərˌkeɪs /

noun

• staircases
  plural

1. a flight of stairs with its framework, banisters, etc., or a series of such flights.

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staircase British  

/ ˈstɛəˌkeɪs /

noun

1. a flight of stairs, its supporting framework, and, usually, a handrail or banisters

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• staircases
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of staircase

First recorded in 1615–25; stair + case ²

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Compare meaning

How does staircase compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• stairwell vs. staircase

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

staircase staircases

To mimic strength training, the mice climbed a 70-centimeter staircase while carrying weights attached to their tails.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

It also provides direct access to a sandy beach with a wooden staircase situated around the back of the house.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

I headed up the winding staircase and into the meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

"The set design was highly cinematic, with a monumental staircase sweeping up one side and a moon dominating the stage, while the backdrop appeared to have a stark, almost brutalist gray texture."

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

We wait, pretending to appreciate a rather homely rendering of George Washington in the lobby, when a commotion descends from a nearby staircase.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Photos taken at Kris’ annual holiday parties often featured the sweeping staircases, which were decked out in extravagant decorations, with multiple Christmas trees scattered throughout the grand entryway.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

Those patterns, according to the model, would help neighboring DNA molecules align with one another much like two interlocking spiral staircases.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

From the Eighth Avenue entrance, passengers will descend sweeping staircases into a parabolic main hall whose soft curve contrasts with the structure’s overall solidity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

In each video, runners dart around church staff and race up staircases, seeing how far they can get before someone asks them to leave or threatens to call the police.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

SD-03 then rolled out of the bunker and began to climb a series of ramps and staircases the Sixers had built onto the castle’s outer walls to provide access to the upper levels.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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Related Words

• access
• avenue
• corridor
• door
• doorway
• entry
• entryway
• gate
• hall
• hallway
• lobby
• opening
• passageway
• porch
• port

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