stagger

Stagger is a verb and noun describing an offset in alignment or timing. As a verb, it most commonly means to walk or stand with an unsteady gait, as if about to fall. It can also mean to arrange things so that they are not in a straight line or simultaneous moment, by introducing a deliberate offset in position or time.

As a noun, a stagger is the offset itself—the arrangement of elements that are shifted relative to one another. In construction or design, a staggered pattern refers to elements such as bricks, tiles, or lighting that are laid or placed so joints or start points do not align. In scheduling or project management, a staggered approach distributes actions across time or space to reduce peaks in demand or risk.

Common applications include staggered brickwork or tile laying (to improve structural integrity and aesthetics), staggered crosswalks in traffic design (to enhance pedestrian safety), and staggered rollouts of software, products, or policies (to spread resource use and monitor impact).