This is the 1272nd most frequent Polish word.
etap
Stage; phase.
Here, 'etap' means 'stage' and refers to a phase in a sequential process.
Projekt jest obecnie na początkowym etapie.
The project is currently in its initial stage.
In this case, 'etap' implies a segment or phase of an overall journey.
Każdy etap podróży był dokładnie zaplanowany.
Each stage of the journey was carefully planned.
Here, 'etap' denotes a level or step in a procedural sequence.