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 WebJames A. Jones Jr., Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Little Pearl’s previous dining space on the north side of the Main + Marketplace escalator is available for lease.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
The crowd takes the escalators up to the Governors Ball, the Academy’s on-site after-party.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
In the team’s letter to legislators that legislator Manny Abarca posted on X, formerly Twitter after the announcement, the Chiefs promised to contribute at least $2 million a year into a community benefits fund with an escalator that would increase that amount after year 11.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Passengers have complained about broken elevators and escalators.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
That includes both the number and placement of elevators and escalators, as well as how the gates themselves are designed.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024
There are 49ers fans draped out of the window of the Hard Rock Cafe, bedazzled jerseys causing traffic jams on broken escalators, and sometimes, fans simply yelling their team’s names in the middle of packed shopping malls or desolate TGI Fridays.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
Elevator inspectors do just that, regularly inspecting elevators and escalators to ensure safety and overseeing new installations.
—USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
Noun
Included in the $100 million terminal project is a second set of down escalators to the baggage claim area.
—James A. Jones Jr., Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Little Pearl’s previous dining space on the north side of the Main + Marketplace escalator is available for lease.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
The crowd takes the escalators up to the Governors Ball, the Academy’s on-site after-party.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
In the team’s letter to legislators that legislator Manny Abarca posted on X, formerly Twitter after the announcement, the Chiefs promised to contribute at least $2 million a year into a community benefits fund with an escalator that would increase that amount after year 11.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Passengers have complained about broken elevators and escalators.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
That includes both the number and placement of elevators and escalators, as well as how the gates themselves are designed.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024
There are 49ers fans draped out of the window of the Hard Rock Cafe, bedazzled jerseys causing traffic jams on broken escalators, and sometimes, fans simply yelling their team’s names in the middle of packed shopping malls or desolate TGI Fridays.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
Elevator inspectors do just that, regularly inspecting elevators and escalators to ensure safety and overseeing new installations.
—USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'escalator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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