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 Web
Abigail Adams, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
The Grand Hyatt also houses a 30,000-square-foot convention center on the lower floors, though skiers will have little reason to ride those escalators down.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025
Three open-plan floors were served by a central bank of escalators running in a continuous, waterfall-like line, resembling those which would soon be on the side of the Pompidou.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Those terms include a 15-year contract that contains incentives and escalators that could increase its value beyond $800 million, by far the biggest in the history of professional sports.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escalator 
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Noun
The airport also posted an adorable video on Instagram of employees doing some fun activities with the bunny throughout the airport, like going on escalator rides and drinking at an airport bar.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
The Grand Hyatt also houses a 30,000-square-foot convention center on the lower floors, though skiers will have little reason to ride those escalators down.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025
Three open-plan floors were served by a central bank of escalators running in a continuous, waterfall-like line, resembling those which would soon be on the side of the Pompidou.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Those terms include a 15-year contract that contains incentives and escalators that could increase its value beyond $800 million, by far the biggest in the history of professional sports.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escalator
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Cite this Entry
“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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