escalator

noun es·ca·la·tor \ ˈe-skə-ˌlā-tər , nonstandard -skyə- \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of escalator

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

See escalator defined for English-language learners

See escalator defined for kids

Recent Examples of escalator from the Web

Rimmer went down an escalator, CBS reported, and almost got on the train to go to the different concourses before officers detained him.

— gabby ferreira, sacbee, "Man bypassed airport security — by running right through a security checkpoint," 7 June 2018
The big emporiums showcased everything from corsets to cookware, and included novelties like escalators.

— suzanne kapner, WSJ, "Bon-Ton Scion’s Fix for Ailing Department Stores: Blow Up the Model," 1 June 2018
Jeffrey Englert reportedly jumped from an escalator going down and tried to grab the handrail of one going up.

— crystal hill, miamiherald, "Man was ‘clowning around’ on a mall escalator, witness says. He fell to his death.," 29 May 2018
Mundelein in November agreed to pay Libertyville $14,000 per year plus three percent annual escalators for shared use of their 100-foot ladder truck.

— rick kambic, chicagotribune.com, "Libertyville and Mundelein to share wastewater plant employee," 25 May 2018
The capital improvements — worth $75 million — helped pay for projects like new escalators, video boards and better Wi-Fi and cell service.

— steve harrison, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte has budgeted millions for second round of stadium renovations | Charlotte Observer," 15 May 2018
There are a ton of things to do in downtown Milwaukee with the kids, but the fact that there's a polka escalator in the Wisconsin Center building, at 400 W. Wisconsin Ave.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Quirky things to do (plus a few familiar ones) with the kids in Milwaukee," 30 Aug. 2017
The escalator incident was not related to the smoke, Buchanan said.

— dana hedgpeth, Washington Post, "Metro service restored on Red Line," 17 Apr. 2018
Halfway down the escalator, Diaczok couldn’t reach the emergency stop button and began screaming for help.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "Toddler's boot caught in Vancouver airport escalator | The Sacramento Bee," 20 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of escalator

from Escalator, a trademark

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1900

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

escalator

adjective

Definition of escalator

: providing for a periodic proportional upward or downward adjustment (as of prices or wages)

an escalator arrangement tying the base pay … to living costs
—N. Y. Times

First Known Use of escalator

1930

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

ESCALATOR Defined for English Language Learners

escalator

noun

Definition of escalator for English Language Learners

: a moving set of stairs that carries people up or down from one level of a building to another

ESCALATOR Defined for Kids

escalator

noun es·ca·la·tor \ ˈe-skə-ˌlā-tər \

Definition of escalator for Students

: a moving stairway for going from one level (as of a building) to another

Learn More about escalator

See words that rhyme with escalator Spanish Central: Translation of escalator Nglish: Translation of escalator for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of escalator for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about escalator

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escalator

Definition of escalator

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escalator

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ESCALATOR Defined for English Language Learners

escalator

Definition of escalator for English Language Learners

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escalator

Definition of escalator for Students

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