French word

plateau

Pronunciation

IPA/plato/

Meaning

  • masculine nounplateau

Example

Le village est situé sur un plateau.

The village is situated on a plateau.

Illustration for plateau (plateau)

More examples

Nous avons pique-niqué sur le plateau.

We had a picnic on the plateau.

Core concept

A broad, level surface raised above the land around it.

Common phrases

  • sur le plateau

    on the plateau

  • un plateau herbeux

    a grassy plateau

Similar words

plaine: A broad, level lowland commonly covered by farmland or settlements.
vallée: A long depression between higher ground, often crossed by a river or road.
montagne: A lofty area with steep slopes and one or more peaks.

Definition in French

Masse de terrain plane et élevée par rapport au paysage environnant, formant un plateau naturel.

Word origin

French plateau was formed from plat, meaning flat, with the ending -eau, and first referred to a relatively flat elevated area.

Usage tips

  • Plateau is masculine, so the usual article is le: le plateau.

Other meanings

  • traynoun
  • stagnationnoun
  • soundstagenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word