rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryphaseStage in a process
noun / verb

phase

FAYZ/feɪz/

A distinct stage in a process or cycle.

The chrysalis is a distinct phase between caterpillar and adult butterfly.

A butterfly’s development shown as three linked stages—caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult—with the chrysalis visually singled out as one distinct phase of the process.
Etymology
phaseGreekappearance

Greek phasis meant “appearance,” especially a celestial body's visible aspect. From the moon's changing appearances, phase broadened to a distinct stage that a developing process presents at a particular time.

In context

Arlington Community Media Inc.5:50
the project entered the design development phase in June of 2019 during this phase the design became more detailed and a design team did a new cost estimate
AHS Building Committee Community Forum - February 4, 2020

More examples

  • Many toddlers go through a phase of refusing new foods.
  • The moon passes through the same phases each month.
  • We phase in the new schedule over several weeks.
  • The company plans to phase out its older equipment.

Forms

phase · phases · phased · phasing

Similar words

stage
Emphasizes a particular point in an ordered sequence.
period
Emphasizes duration rather than a step in development.
step
Usually refers to a specific action within a larger process.