staging area

American  

noun

1. an area, as a port of embarkation, where troops are assembled and readied for transit to a new field of operations.

2. any area or place serving as a point of assembly or preparation on the way to a destination.

---

staging area British  

noun

1. a general locality used as a checkpoint or regrouping area for military formations in transit

---

Etymology

Origin of staging area

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Embassy staff hostages nearly 46 years ago—had failed dramatically after a series of mishaps, punctuated by a fiery crash at a desert staging area.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

There was a contingency plan: Three smaller planes carrying specialized teams later made their way to the remote staging area.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Protesters had gathered at Coast Guard Island, which was intended to be a staging area for immigration detention agents during a planned enforcement surge Saturday in the San Francisco Bay Area.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2025

Russia has not commented, but state media reported that forces had hit a "military staging area" in Sumy province.

From BBC • May 17, 2025

Then he opened the door to the staging area, and she blinked at the light and came out, pushing the bags ahead of her.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston