escalator

1 of 2

noun

es·​ca·​la·​tor ˈe-skə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce escalator (audio)
nonstandard
-skyə- How to pronounce escalator (audio)
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 progressD. W. Brogan
2
: an escalator clause or provision

escalator

2 of 2

adjective

: providing for a periodic proportional upward or downward adjustment (as of prices or wages)
an escalator arrangement tying the base pay … to living costsNew York Times

Examples of escalator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Generations of Americans have sat for the SAT, long the surest social escalator for talented, but overlooked, kids to win seats at the nation’s most elite universities. Tim Rosenberger, National Review, 30 June 2025 Grinning cutouts of him greet you at the tops of escalators; his products stock the ad space in conference pamphlets. Peter Rubin, Longreads, 26 June 2025 The escalator, the ways people stand on the escalator, the way the handrail moves quicker than the stairs do. Thresholds june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025 The storied Alliance Bank Center emptied of tenants in March following a slow decline that included broken escalators, elevator outages and security problems. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for escalator

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from Escalator, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of escalator was in 1900

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

escalator

noun
es·​ca·​la·​tor
ˈes-kə-ˌlāt-ər
: a moving set of stairs arranged like a continuous belt

More from Merriam-Webster on escalator

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