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staircase

American  
[stair-keys] / ˈstɛərˌkeɪs /

noun

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

staircase British  
/ ˈstɛəˌkeɪs /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of staircase

First recorded in 1615–25; stair + case 2

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Built on the site of Andrew Jackson’s headquarters in the War of 1812 and replete with marble staircases and stained glass, the hotel dates to 1908.

From The Wall Street Journal

Taran was less stoic, recounting a run-in with a neighbour who complained about the lights being out on the staircase.

From Barron's

We crossed the grounds, entered the castle doors, now gilded gold, marched up a grand golden staircase, and down a long corridor to a large golden door with gold handles.

From Literature

The north side of the dwelling comes complete with a driveway and gated pathway, while the south side features a two-car garage and a stone staircase.

From MarketWatch

Local fire marshals, fire chiefs and firefighting unions have, by and large, opposed easing staircase requirements in the building code wherever they’ve been proposed.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.