plateau Definition

plateau
noun plateaux, plateaus

1. geog.
An extensive area of relatively flat high land, usually bounded by steep sides.
Thesaurus: plain, tableland, mesa, highland.
2. econ.
A stable unvarying condition of prices, etc after a rise
Example: The production rate reached a plateau in August.

verb

intr
plateaued, plateauing
1. To reach a level; to even out.

Form: plateau out (sometimes)

Etymology: 18c: from French platel something flat.