staircase

[ stair-keys ]

noun

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

staircase

/ ˈstɛəˌkeɪs /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of staircase¹

First recorded in 1615–25; stair + case ²

Example Sentences

He would arrive at work and learn he had to get to his floor through a different staircase because the usual one was reserved for people who had been in a red zone.

From Washington Post

Several decades ago, a woman living in a second-floor apartment dreamed of falling through the wooden staircase in her building.

From Washington Post

They’re also good for effectively cleaning staircases, as they can be moved up and down with ease in a way that uprights can’t.

From Popular-Science

They contain information, from timetables to descriptions of the surrounding environment, like how many feet away the staircase is, when the next A train is expected to arrive, or which lines are experiencing delays.

From Ozy

A path up a stepped hill takes her to a wide staircase that brings her face-to-beak with a giant injured eagle.

From Washington Post

I gingerly walked down the center staircase and out into what was a chilly, sunny October morning.

From The Daily Beast

The camera dollied backward along the length of the tower's staircase while simultaneously its lens zoomed forward.

From The Daily Beast

Tough women with children at home curled up in the rotunda at the foot of the grand staircase.

From The Daily Beast

In the morning I stumbled down the staircase and choked down a chunky breakfast smoothie.

From The Daily Beast

The shopkeeper unlocked a door for us and we went down a narrow spiral staircase to a communal hole in the wall.

From The Daily Beast

A tall phantom in livery appeared, as if by magic, and signed to me to ascend the grand staircase.

From Project Gutenberg

The clerks had not arrived yet, and he beguiled the time by looking out of the staircase window.

From Project Gutenberg

By the last-mentioned staircase access is obtained by the general public to the Council Chamber.

From Project Gutenberg

When we got to the house we entered an obscure corridor and began to find our way up a dark and narrow staircase.

From Project Gutenberg

A few moments later she joined Gwynne at the foot of the staircase, and they went out to the woods.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• access
• avenue
• corridor
• door
• doorway
• entry
• entryway
• gate
• hall
• hallway
• lobby
• opening
• passageway
• porch
• port