French word

palier

Pronunciation

IPA/palje/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlanding

Example

Attends-moi au palier.

Wait for me on the landing.

Illustration for palier (landing)

More examples

Le projet a atteint un nouveau palier.

The project has reached a new level.

Core concept

A flat stopping point between upward stretches, on a staircase or in a gradual advance.

Common phrases

  • atteindre un palier

    reach a level

  • un palier supérieur

    a higher level

Similar words

escalier: A structure of connected steps that links different levels inside a building.
étage: One horizontal level of a building, counted as a floor or story.
marche: The flat part of one stair where a foot rests while going up or down.

Definition in French

Partie horizontale d'un escalier située entre deux volées, servant de lieu de repos ou de passage ; au sens figuré, étape ou niveau dans une progression.

Word origin

French palier comes through Old French palier, 'flat place', and is linked with the Latin family of platea, 'open or broad place'.

Usage tips

  • Au palier locates someone at a landing; a floor number normally requires a separate expression such as au troisième étage.

Other meanings

  • stagenoun

Word lists with this word