elevate

adjective el·e·vate \ ˈe-lə-ˌvāt , -vət \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

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Examples: elevate in a Sentence

Definition of elevate

archaic

: elevated

First Known Use of elevate

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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elevate

verb el·e·vate \ ˈe-lə-ˌvāt \

Definition of elevate

elevated; elevating

transitive verb

1 : to lift up or make higher : raise

elevate a patient's leg

exercises that elevate the heart rate

2 : to raise in rank or status

was elevated to chairman

3 : to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally

great books that both entertain and elevate their readers

4 : to raise the spirits of : elate

intransitive verb

: to become elevated : rise

his voice elevated to a shout

See elevate defined for English-language learners

See elevate defined for kids

Examples of elevate in a Sentence

exercises that elevate the heart rate
seeing their son ordained as a priest was one of the most elevating moments in their lives

Recent Examples of elevate from the Web

Like so many other pitchers these days, Brown is finding success by elevating his fastball.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers minor-league pitcher Zack (with a k) Brown making a name for himself," 12 June 2018
Trump’s choice of Kudlow to be his top economic aide elevated the influence of a longtime fixture on the business news network CNBC.

— jonathan lemire, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow ‘doing well’ after heart attack," 12 June 2018
Those exercises, such as rapidly jumping on one leg side to side, help players prepare for landing on one leg and elevating quickly during games.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Magic forward Jonathan Isaac works to strengthen his body during critical offseason," 11 June 2018
This is true even if the volunteers could significantly elevate learning in a subject — writing — that most schools do not teach well.

— jay mathews, Washington Post, "‘It is a dream volunteer job.’ So why don’t more schools embrace retiree help?," 10 June 2018
Sal Russo, Co-founder of Tea Party Express Two major political reforms combined to overwhelm the election by elevating dishonest campaign tactics over meaningful policy debate.

— amy chance, sacbee, "California Influencers: What did we learn from the June primary election, and why?," 9 June 2018
Three decades of being elevated by the highs and devastated by the lows could finally be put to bed; four decades for someone like my father.

— josh land, baltimoresun.com, "First Stanley Cup means long-suffering Capitals fans need not suffer any longer," 8 June 2018
The goal is to create a building of artist studios, classrooms and gallery spaces that will elevate the art being created here and Boise State’s profile regionally and nationally.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "This new building on BSU's campus will change Boise's iconic cityscape," 4 June 2018
Trump has separately signed a law allowing high-level official visits to Taiwan, a move that would elevate its diplomatic status.

— keith zhai, Bloomberg.com, "As U.S. Confronts China on Trade, Taiwan Tensions Quietly Build," 3 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elevate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of elevate

Middle English, from Latin elevatus, past participle of elevare, from e- + levare to raise — more at lever

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

elevate Synonyms

Phrases

kick upstairs;

Synonym Discussion of elevate

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

- lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

- scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

- suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

- elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

- hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

- heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

- boosted his brother over the fence

ELEVATE Defined for English Language Learners

elevate

verb

Definition of elevate for English Language Learners

: to lift (something) up
: to increase the level of (something) : to make (something) higher
: to raise (someone) to a higher rank or level

ELEVATE Defined for Kids

elevate

verb el·e·vate \ ˈe-lə-ˌvāt \

Definition of elevate for Students

elevated; elevating

: to lift up : raise

Word Root of elevate

The Latin word levis, meaning “lightweight,” gives us the root lev. Words from the Latin levis have something to do with being light in weight. To levitate is to be so light as to rise up into the air. To elevate is to lift something up to a higher level as if it is lightweight. A lever is a bar used to help lift something up by making it feel lighter than it is.