Peak vs. Plateau — What's the Difference?

A tapering, projecting point; a pointed extremity

In geology and physical geography, a plateau ( , , or ; French: [pla.to]; plural plateaus or plateaux), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain, that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. Often one or more sides have deep hills.

The pointed summit of a mountain.

An area of fairly level high ground.

The mountain itself.

A state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress

The point of a beard.

Reach a state of little or no change after a period of activity or progress

A widow's peak.

An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.

The point of greatest development, value, or intensity

A relatively stable level, period, or state

(Physics) The highest value attained by a varying quantity

To reach a stable level; level off

The narrow portion of a ship's hull at the bow or stern.

A largely level expanse of land at a high elevation; tableland.

The upper aft corner of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail.

(of a varying quantity) A comparatively stable level after a period of increase.

The outermost end of a gaff.

(dated) An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.

(Nautical) To raise (a gaff) above the horizontal.

A notable level of attainment or achievement.

To bring to a maximum of development, value, or intensity.

(intransitive) (of a varying quantity) To reach a stable level after a period of increase; to level off.

To be formed into a peak or peaks

A flat surface; especially, a broad, level, elevated area of land; a table-land.

To achieve a maximum of development, value, or intensity

An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.

To become sickly, emaciated, or pale.

A relatively flat highland

Approaching or constituting the maximum

A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap.

The highest value reached by some quantity in a time period.

(geography) The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point.

(geography) The whole hill or mountain, especially when isolated.

(nautical) The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail.

(nautical) The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it.

(nautical) The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill.

(mathematics) A local maximum of a function, e.g. for sine waves, each point at which the value of y is at its maximum.

To raise the point of (a gaff) closer to perpendicular.

(intransitive)

To reach a highest degree or maximum.

To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.

To cause to adopt gender-critical or trans-exclusionary views (ellipsis of peak trans).

(intransitive) To become sick or wan.

(intransitive) To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sickly.

(intransitive) To pry; to peep slyly.

At the greatest extent; maximum.

(slang) Maximal, quintessential, archetypical; representing the culmination of its type.

(MLE) Bad.

(MLE) Unlucky; unfortunate.

A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap.

The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe.

The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; - used in many combinations; as, peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc.

To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.

To achieve a maximum of numerical value, intensity of activity, popularity, or other characteristic, followed by a decline; as, the stock market peaked in January; his performance as a pitcher peaked in 1990; sales of the XTX model peaked at 20,000 per year.

To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sickly.

To pry; to peep slyly.

To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.

The most extreme possible amount or value;

The period of greatest prosperity or productivity

The highest level or degree attainable;

The top point of a mountain or hill;

A V shape;

The highest point (of something);

A brim that projects to the front to shade the eyes;

To reach the highest point; attain maximum intensity, activity;

Of a period of maximal use or demand or activity;

Approaching or constituting a maximum;