escalator

1 of 2

noun

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

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 costs …

—New York Times

Examples of escalator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to shoppers, it's even been dropped down an escalator and a flight of stairs with little damage. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

On one hand, of course, this is the next step on an inevitable escalator to the level of hyper-personalized automated content. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 Nov. 2025

These cilia beat in a coordinated fashion to act like an escalator, propelling viruses and other foreign particles out of the body. —Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025

Down the escalator to the middle of the shopping center are additional luxury brands. —David Moin, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for escalator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

escalator

noun

es·​ca·​la·​tor

ˈes-kə-ˌlāt-ər

: a moving set of stairs arranged like a continuous belt