elevator music

noun

: instrumental arrangements of popular songs often piped in (as to an elevator or retail store)

Examples of elevator music in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That audience might be businesses in search of elevator music. IEEE Spectrum, 8 June 2021 Ultimately, the quality of subcarrier signals was lower than traditional FM broadcasts, which contributed to Muzak’s elevator music reputation. IEEE Spectrum, 8 June 2021 But compared with the riotous diversity of a rainforest, the columns — like brigades of upright feather dusters — can become as monotonous as elevator music. Patricia Cohen Jes Aznar, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 But there’s something unexplainable as to why their bats make elevator music in front of their loud, faithful fans. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elevator music 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elevator music.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elevator music was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near elevator music

Cite this Entry

“Elevator music.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevator%20music. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

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