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 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
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Noun
Consider the 49ers, whose depth chart lately feels like a fast-moving escalator. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 The 30-square-meter space on the second floor of the Parisian department store is a prime location at the top of the escalator, just next to Courrèges. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026 On the higher end, the annual median wage for elevator and escalator installers and repairers is $109,910. — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 The chain’s restaurants were leased back to it under a 25-year master lease, which included 2% annual escalators, extending until the early 2040s, according to the initial deal terms. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for escalator

See All Rhymes for escalator

Browse Nearby Words

escalation
escalator
escallonia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about escalator

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