escalator

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

|Updated on: 6 Aug 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

Fans celebrate on an escalator in the metro in Moscow.

— andrew beaton, WSJ, "How Russia Gave Itself a Facelift for the World Cup," 4 July 2018
The star of Rebecca and Suspicion appeared in a stunning, strapless red gown and ascended the escalator to applause — elegant, glamorous and totally in control — to be greeted at the top by a very pleased Mort, ready to escort her in.

— mike kaplan, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Feud,' Olivia de Havilland and the "Bitch" vs. "Dragon Lady" Debate (Guest Column)," 5 May 2018
And while all this is going on, BART is preparing to tackle one of the station’s most pressing problems — the constantly broken escalators.

— matier & ross, San Francisco Chronicle, "Nothing happens quickly at BART; Powell Street face-lift is no exception," 23 Apr. 2018
Additionally, escalators and elevators to the 500 level are expected to be ready by October this season.

— katherine fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens announce digital ticketing for game days, new 4K video boards at M&T Bank Stadium," 12 July 2018
Along the way, the rider could see subway train arrival times, service advisories and escalator and elevator outages.

— paul berger, WSJ, "MTA Launches New App for Riders to Plan Transit in Real Time," 2 July 2018
The new store is on the second floor above parking, and guests can take escalators up or park higher.

— tracy maness, Houston Chronicle, "First double-decker H-E-B opens in Bellaire," 29 June 2018
The little two-wheelers in uptown, South End and a few other Charlotte neighborhoods are as novel as the first escalators would be in a small town.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "'Saw a guy riding down the sidewalk... texting on his phone.' Here come the scooters.," 14 June 2018
Our days are spent resisting the urge to sit down, take escalators, and park further away from the grocery store—all in an effort to stay healthy or build strength.

— popular mechanics editors, Popular Mechanics, "Today's Best Deals: Save $300 on a Macbook," 10 May 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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up escalator? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

escalator

Definition of escalator

Recent Examples of escalator from the Web

Origin and Etymology of escalator

escalator

Definition of escalator

First Known Use of escalator

ESCALATOR Defined for English Language Learners

escalator

Definition of escalator for English Language Learners

ESCALATOR Defined for Kids

escalator

Definition of escalator for Students

Learn More about escalator

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

adulation

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

'Banana Republic': A History

The Many Plurals of 'Octopus'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

The Eponym Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

Ghost Word

escalator

Definition of escalator

Recent Examples of escalator from the Web

Origin and Etymology of escalator

escalator

Definition of escalator

First Known Use of escalator

ESCALATOR Defined for English Language Learners

escalator

Definition of escalator for English Language Learners

ESCALATOR Defined for Kids

escalator

Definition of escalator for Students

Learn More about escalator

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

Ghost Word