1A stage, step, or phase within an ongoing process.
このプロジェクトはまだ計画の段階だ。
This project is still at the planning stage.
新製品の開発は最終段階に入った。
Development of the new product has entered its final stage.
交渉は次の段階に進んだ。
The negotiations moved on to the next stage.
治療は段階を踏んで慎重に進められた。
The treatment was carried out carefully, step by step.
2A level, rank, or grade indicating the degree of something.
この教材は難易度別に五段階に分かれている。
This textbook is divided into five levels by difficulty.
評価は五段階で表示される。
The evaluation is shown on a five-level scale.
3Order or sequence in which things proceed.
段階を追って手順を説明します。
I'll explain the procedure in order, step by step.
4A step of a staircase (used with a meaning close to 階段, "stairs").
神社の段階を一段ずつゆっくり上った。
I slowly climbed the shrine's steps one at a time.