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staffel

Staffel is a German noun (die Staffel) with several related but distinct meanings, all connected by the idea of a step, level, or sequence.

The most common meaning in contemporary usage is season. In media and entertainment, a Staffel refers to

In a military and aviation context, Staffel denotes a squadron or flight. In the German air force

Beyond media and military usage, Staffel can also convey the idea of a level, tier, or step

Etymology and usage notes: Staffel originates from a sense of stepping or level, related to stepping-stones

In sum, Staffel primarily means season in television terms, but it also designates a military flight unit

a
set
of
episodes
of
a
television
series
or
streaming
program
released
as
a
unit.
For
example,
the
third
Staffel
of
a
popular
series
would
comprise
a
defined
group
of
episodes
that
advance
the
storyline.
and
historical
usage,
a
Staffel
is
a
unit
within
a
Geschwader
(wings
or
groups)
and
typically
consists
of
several
aircraft
and
the
crews
that
operate
them.
The
term
is
still
used
in
modern
German
to
describe
such
organizational
units,
for
instance
in
"1.
Staffel"
of
a
Jagdgeschwader.
in
a
sequence
or
hierarchy.
In
this
sense,
it
is
related
to
the
notion
of
staging
or
gradation,
and
it
appears
in
phrases
describing
tiered
arrangements,
processes,
or
pricing
(for
example,
a
tiered
or
staggered
structure).
or
rungs.
The
word
is
inflected
as
die
Staffel,
with
plural
die
Staffeln
when
referring
to
multiple
seasons,
units,
or
levels.
and,
more
generally,
a
level
or
stage
in
a
sequence.