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

Fans have been seen performing the row on an escalator in Boston. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 1 July 2026

Power outage resolved at Philadelphia Airport June 29 A service outage impacting moving walkways, elevators and escalators at the airport Sundy night and Monday morning has been partially resolved, according to airport officials. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Refik Anadol said, as the escalator carried us downward. — Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026

Potentially a catalyst for the rowing scene that unfolded on the ascending escalator. — William Jones, NPR, 25 June 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