A staircase is a series of steps that connects different levels or floors in a building. Instead of climbing a ladder or scrambling up a steep slope, you walk up a staircase one step at a time, moving from the ground floor to the second floor, or from a basement up to the main level.

Staircases come in many designs. Some spiral around a central pole like a corkscrew, while others go straight up with a flat landing halfway where you can pause. Grand staircases in old mansions or theaters might be wide and elegant, curving dramatically. Simple staircases in homes might be narrow and practical, tucked into a corner.

The word can also describe the structure itself as an architectural feature. Architects spend time designing staircases, thinking about how wide the steps should be, how steep the climb feels, and whether the staircase should make a statement or simply do its job. Some famous staircases, like the Spanish Steps in Rome, have become landmarks people travel to see.