Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
  • noun A relatively stable level, period, or state.
  • intransitive verb To reach a stable level; level off.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In pnys.geog., an elevated region of considerable extent, often traversed by mountain-ranges.
  • noun A tray for table service.
  • noun A decorative plaque.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A flat surface; especially, a broad, level, elevated area of land; a table-land.
  • noun An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A largely level expanse of land at a high elevation; tableland.
  • noun A comparatively stable level in something that varies.
  • noun dated An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.
  • noun sports, broadcasting A notable level of attainment or achievement.
  • verb intransitive Reach a stable level; level off.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a relatively flat highland

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[French, from Old French platel, platter, from plat, flat; see plate.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French plateau, diminutive of plat ("a plate"); see plate.

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Examples

Comments

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  • JM wonders if a plateau is a higher form of flattery.

    August 13, 2011