es·ca·la·tor
ˈe-skə-ˌlā-tər 
nonstandard
-skyə-
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
D. W. Brogan2
: an escalator clause or provision
: providing for a periodic proportional upward or downward adjustment (as of prices or wages)
an escalator arrangement tying the base pay … to living costs—New York Times
New York TimesExamples of escalator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
And, most nefariously of all, his escalator stopped.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
First, the escalator going up to the main speaking floor came to a screeching halt.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
His father, according to a LinkedIn profile, retired in 2020 after 36 years of employment at an elevator and escalator firm.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalator
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
How escalators are designed Escalators are moving staircases powered by chains and gears.
—Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
And, most nefariously of all, his escalator stopped.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
First, the escalator going up to the main speaking floor came to a screeching halt.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
His father, according to a LinkedIn profile, retired in 2020 after 36 years of employment at an elevator and escalator firm.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalator
Cite this Entry
“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share