elevator

noun

el·​e·​va·​tor ˈe-lə-ˌvā-tər How to pronounce elevator (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are elevators that go to the first, second, and third floors of the hotel. Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025 Recently, Sylvester Semedo from Massachusetts won a $300,000 jackpot by playing elevator numbers from his old work building. David Chiu, People.com, 4 July 2025 The directions would even expand into the stop itself, telling drivers what gates or elevators to use and maybe even avoiding overly excited dogs. Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 Two staircases and an elevator will be added to the space. Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for elevator

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elevator was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elevator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevator. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

elevator

noun
el·​e·​va·​tor ˈel-ə-ˌvāt-ər How to pronounce elevator (audio)
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 How to pronounce elevator (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on elevator

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