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

Yes; the property features elevators, a variety of accessible common areas, and accessible guest rooms with bathtub grab rails, lowered electrical outlets, flashing door knockers, and more. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026

When an elevator broke down at Cleveland Elementary last school year, staff mobilized to find three colleagues to carry Carolyn Diaz up and down the stairs so the ESL teacher, who uses a wheelchair, could reach her students. — Angie Orellana Hernandez, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026

Additionally, the estate includes elevator service to all three floors, 25-yard lap pool, outdoor kitchen, veranda with stone fireplace and underground seven-car garage with Tesla charging station. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Spanning the seventh and eighth floors of 730 Park Avenue, an elegant prewar cooperative at the corner of East 71st Street, the duplex is reached by private elevator. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

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