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

Its stunning height will be supported by 59 ultra-high-speed elevators and eight escalators, including seven double-deck elevators and two construction time elevators. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026

That puts these borrowers at extra risk of slipping onto that escalator through delinquency to default. —Cory Turner, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026

Importantly, the survey also points to a potential de-escalator that Carlson ignores. —Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

Through a panel of glass doors, down a set of escalators, in one corner of a 250,000 square-foot convention hall, the NFL will stage its latest iteration of the Pro Bowl. —Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026

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