riser.

The vertical face between consecutive stair treads.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• painted riser
• high risers
• open risers

On the page

The unusually high risers made every climb a small effort.

Someone had painted a different flower on each stair riser.

Light passed through the gaps where the staircase had no risers.

Usage notes

Primary category: architecture. Distinguish from tread, the surface stepped on; open-riser stairs omit these vertical faces. Count noun: risers.