escalator

1 of 2

noun

es·​ca·​la·​tor ˈe-skə-ˌlā-tər 

nonstandard

-skyə- 

1

a

: a power-driven set of stairs arranged like an endless belt that ascend or descend continuously

b

: an upward course suggestive of an escalator

… a never-stopping escalator of economic progress.

—D. W. Brogan

2

: an escalator clause or provision

escalator

2 of 2

adjective

: providing for a periodic proportional upward or downward adjustment (as of prices or wages)

… an escalator arrangement tying the base pay … to living costs …

—New York Times

Examples of escalator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The deal includes a ninth-year club option, a full no-trade clause, and performance escalators that could push it north of $130 million. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Gainwell, an eligibility contractor and one of the conference's corporate sponsors, emblazoned its logo on hotel escalators. —Samantha Liss, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

The video includes panning shots of the tower’s exterior and interior, with a presidential jet parked in the lobby alongside a gold escalator like the one Trump rode while launching his presidential campaign in 2015. —ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

As part of Honda Center’s makeover, a new glass structure with a large digital display and escalators will be built at the arena’s south entrance. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from Escalator, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for escalator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

escalator

noun

es·​ca·​la·​tor

ˈes-kə-ˌlāt-ər

: a moving set of stairs arranged like a continuous belt