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
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
Accessibility The facilities are ADA compliant, with ramps, elevators, and accessible amenities in place.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Footage from the Philadelphia International Airport, shot early Thursday morning, shows hundreds of passengers waiting on elevators and escalators to get through a security check point.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
And now the nonprofits have announced a settlement that follows many improvements, including functional elevators and new ownership.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
The shortage has been so severe that a Japanese elevator company called two weeks ago, asking for help securing a mere 500 units of SSD supplies.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elevator
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Footage from the Philadelphia International Airport, shot early Thursday morning, shows hundreds of passengers waiting on elevators and escalators to get through a security check point.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
And now the nonprofits have announced a settlement that follows many improvements, including functional elevators and new ownership.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
The shortage has been so severe that a Japanese elevator company called two weeks ago, asking for help securing a mere 500 units of SSD supplies.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elevator
Cite this Entry
“Elevator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevator. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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