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

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

The new facility will feature moving sidewalks, escalators and a central hub where the airport may eventually build a third concourse. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Fear not, world leaders — the UN’s notorious escalator has been fixed in time for diplomacy’s biggest event of the year. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 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