key staging post
1
6.7
- noun
- The small town became a key staging post for relief supplies after the storm.
Examples
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The village acted as a key staging post for migrating birds on their long journey.
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The village serves as a key staging post on the trade route.
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In the plan, this checkpoint was identified as a key staging post before the final ascent.
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Many travelers stop at this key staging post for supplies.
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The city serves as a key staging post for travelers heading to the national park.
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This warehouse is a key staging post for the distribution of supplies across the region.
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The summit of the mountain was a key staging post for climbers making their final ascent.
Synonyms
6
5.1
A point on a route used to help find the way
1
6.3
A place where someone starts a journey, project, or activity
How Important
Surface Forms
Morphology
Although 'key' clearly signals importance, the compound 'staging post' depends on a less frequent sense of 'staging' (a place for stages/relay stops) and on 'post' meaning 'stop/station' rather than the more common meanings (stake/mail). The overall sense is partially compositional and somewhat predictable from the parts, but a B1 learner who only knows basic senses of the constituents may not reliably infer it without prior exposure.
Etymology
The phrase key staging post comes from old travel routes where a staging post was a place to change horses or gather supplies, and key meant it was very important. So, calling a place a key staging post today means an 'important stop' needed for progress.