elevator

noun

el·​e·​va·​tor ˈe-lə-ˌvā-tər How to pronounce elevator (audio)
1
: one that raises or lifts something up: such as
a
: an endless belt or chain conveyor with cleats, scoops, or buckets for raising material
b
: a cage or platform and its hoisting machinery for conveying people or things to different levels
2
: a movable airfoil usually attached to the tailplane of an airplane for controlling pitch see airplane illustration

Examples of elevator in a Sentence

We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
Recent Examples on the Web The generous layout includes seven cabins that can collectively sleep up to 14 guests and an elevator that allows seafarers to easily access all levels. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 Joining the rats, the building is also home to a cockroach infestation, mold, no air conditioning, and elevators and bathrooms that don't function properly, the superintendent added. Emma Colton, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 The decrepit building is also overrun with cockroaches, mold, defective elevators and out-of-order bathrooms, Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told city council members at a Criminal Justice Committee meeting. Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 The building's air conditioners are broken and its elevators don't work, WWL-TV reported Monday. S. Dev, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Later that year, she was plagued on the air by her interruptive cell phone, and revealed months after that her apartment building's elevator once tried to hold her hostage. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 When the doors to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 Also linking the interior to the past is the original freight elevator. Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024 Stepping out of the elevator, Ms. Klasky-Gamer greets a resident, Joseph. Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elevator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elevator was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near elevator

Cite this Entry

“Elevator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevator. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elevator

noun
el·​e·​va·​tor ˈel-ə-ˌvāt-ər How to pronounce elevator (audio)
1
a
: a continuous belt or chain conveyor for raising material
b
: a cage or platform and its hoisting machinery for carrying things or people to different levels
c
: a building for elevating, storing, unloading, and sometimes grinding grain

called also grain elevator

2
: a movable device shaped like a wing that is usually attached to the tail of an airplane for producing motion up or down

Medical Definition

elevator

noun
el·​e·​va·​tor ˈel-ə-ˌvāt-ər How to pronounce elevator (audio)
1
: a dental instrument for removing teeth or the roots of teeth which cannot be gripped with a forceps
2
: a surgical instrument for raising a depressed part (as a bone) or for separating contiguous parts

More from Merriam-Webster on elevator

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