n.
Pronunciation: pla- ' t ō , ' pla- ˌ
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural plateaus or pla · teaux \ - ' t ō z, - ˌ t ō z \
Etymology: French, from Middle French, platter, from plat flat
Date: 1796
1 a : a usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side : TABLELAND b : a similar undersea feature
2 a : a region of little or no change in a graphic representation b : a relatively stable level, period, or condition
3 : a level of attainment or achievement <the 500-point plateau >