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 two escalators at the Pavilions also are being repaired. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 30 May 2026

This consists of repairing or improving lighting, ADA-accessible restrooms, elevators and escalators. —City News Service, Daily News, 29 May 2026

The club’s official social media accounts carried an image of Ethan Ampadu and Dominic Calvert-Lewin travelling up a London Underground escalator and past a descending, only partially-visible, West Ham player. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 May 2026

With social media in mind, Macerich also is redesigning some center common areas, painting staircases and the nooks under escalators in bright, eye-catching designs to encourage spontaneous photoshoots. —Footwear News, 18 May 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