Stairs
ˈstɛərz
Definitions
2 meaningsA set of steps built to go from one level of a building to another.
ˈstɛərz
A set of steps
I walked up the stairs to my apartment.
💡 Simply: Imagine a ladder, but built into a building! That's stairs. You use them to go up or down between floors.
👶 For kids: Stairs are like giant steps inside a house or building that help you go up or down!
More Examples
The cat sat on the stairs, watching us.
Be careful on the stairs; they can be slippery when wet.
How It's Used
"The house had a grand staircase leading to the second floor."
"She carefully climbed the stairs, carrying a heavy box."
(archaic) to furnish with stairs; to build with stairs.
ˈstɛərz
To provide with stairs
The old manor was staried with a magnificent oak staircase.
💡 Simply: This is an older way of saying 'to put stairs in', like 'we stired the building, giving it stairs.'
👶 For kids: If you stairs something, you're putting in some giant steps!
More Examples
The design proposes a house staried to allow for direct access between the levels.
How It's Used
"The architect stairs the building with a grand staircase."
From Old English stǣger, meaning 'steps, staircase,' likely related to the Proto-Germanic *staigō ('to climb, step').
The word 'stairs' has been in use since the Old English period. It was initially used for the individual steps, then the set of steps.
Memory tip
Think of a staircase, where you take steps to reach the next level.