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

: grain elevator

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

After Meryl Streep’s character enters the elevator, Anne Hathaway — who reprises her role as Andy Sachs from the original 2006 film — joins her just before the doors close. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2025

Other notable elements include five wood-burning fireplaces and an elevator. —Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025

It's eventually revealed that the heels belong to Streep's ruthless Miranda Priestly, who enters an elevator in the fictional Runway magazine office. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Nov. 2025

While little of the plot is revealed, Streep is seen walking through the hallways in studded red pumps, entering an elevator in a chic black and white getup paired with heavy shades. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elevator

• elevator music
• grain elevator
• space elevator

Rhymes for elevator

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

Kids 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