elevator
noun
el·e·va·tor
ˈe-lə-ˌvā-tər 
1
: one that raises or lifts something up: such as
a
: an endless belt or chain conveyor with cleats, scoops, or buckets for raising material
b
: a cage or platform and its hoisting machinery for conveying people or things to different levels
c
2
: a movable airfoil usually attached to the tailplane of an airplane for controlling pitch see airplane illustration
Examples of elevator in a Sentence
We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Back inside, an elevator whisks up to the second level.
—
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
This is the classic elevator pitch moment.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
The building only has one passenger elevator and no freight elevator.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 1 Dec. 2025
The investigation has raised concerns about bamboo scaffolding, renovation netting, foam sealant used around windows and elevators, and faulty fire alarms, with authorities examining several possible fire-code violations.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elevator
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Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
This is the classic elevator pitch moment.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
The building only has one passenger elevator and no freight elevator.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 1 Dec. 2025
The investigation has raised concerns about bamboo scaffolding, renovation netting, foam sealant used around windows and elevators, and faulty fire alarms, with authorities examining several possible fire-code violations.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elevator
Cite this Entry
“Elevator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevator. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elevator
noun
el·e·va·tor
ˈel-ə-ˌvāt-ər
1
a
: a continuous belt or chain conveyor for raising material
b
: a cage or platform and its hoisting machinery for carrying things or people to different levels
c
: a building for elevating, storing, unloading, and sometimes grinding grain
called also grain elevator
2
: a movable device shaped like a wing that is usually attached to the tail of an airplane for producing motion up or down
Medical Definition
elevator
noun
el·e·va·tor
ˈel-ə-ˌvāt-ər
1
: a dental instrument for removing teeth or the roots of teeth which cannot be gripped with a forceps
2
: a surgical instrument for raising a depressed part (as a bone) or for separating contiguous parts
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