B2nounacademicnature
US/plæˈtoʊ/
UK/ˈplæt.əʊ/
a period when a figure stops rising or falling and stays level; also a large area of high flat land
In context
Sales rose sharply until 2018 and then reached a plateau at around 40,000 units.
After six months of progress, my English seemed to hit a plateau.
The village sits on a high plateau surrounded by mountains.
Words that go with plateau
verb + noun
- reach a plateauUnemployment reached a plateau in the second quarter.
- hit a plateauHer progress hit a plateau after the first exam.
noun + preposition
- a plateau inThere has been a plateau in sales since March.
- plateau atThe graph shows a plateau at 20 percent.
adjective + noun
- high plateauThe farm lies on a high plateau.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The number reached to a plateau.Correct: The number reached a plateau.