elevate

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

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

While Paul has been an important addition, Harden is the linchpin, the piece that has elevated the Rockets into title contention and taken the offense to historic levels.

— cleveland.com, "Why LeBron James isn't the 2017-18 MVP: Chris Fedor," 10 Apr. 2018
The most straightforward fix, according to MacLean, is getting a shoe that fits properly and adding an orthotic or insert that elevates the other four toes.

— alex hutchinson, Outside Online, "4 Ways to Fix Your Running Stride," 29 Mar. 2018
Avid travelers and overseas novices, take note: to save time, space, and sanity, invest in the type of aesthetic add-ons that will effortlessly elevate an in-flight experience—as well as your cool girl street cred.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Bella Hadid Puts an All-American Twist on the Street Style Bob in Paris," 27 Mar. 2018
It was already known that elevated CO2 in the ocean stimulates some types of phytoplankton.

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "Herring could actually benefit from ocean acidification," 25 Mar. 2018
The estimate to elevate Peters’ residential property was $110,000; he’s decided instead to build a wall around the building.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "For flood-prone Ellicott City, study lays out ideas to make buildings more ‘resilient’," 23 Mar. 2018
Here are some fresh ideas to elevate the Easter holiday.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "It's spring, and the Easter decorating and baking ideas are flowering | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 22 Mar. 2018
Buy Now Pierre Louis Mascia patterned T-shirt Pierre Louis Mascia is a brand that elevates everyday silhouettes into truly special pieces and this fine mixed print tee is a perfect case in point.

— the editors of gq, GQ, "Where To Buy Everything in the April Issue of GQ," 20 Mar. 2018
These are the same people that elevated and protected Zuma.

— Bloomberg.com, "Zuma Exit Rejuvenates South Africa's Once-Cowed Parliament," 14 Mar. 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.