elevator

American  

[el-uh-vey-ter] / ˈɛl əˌveɪ tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that elevates or raises.

2. a moving platform or cage for carrying passengers or freight from one level to another, as in a building.

3. any of various mechanical devices for raising objects or materials.

4. a building in which grain is stored and handled by means of mechanical elevator and conveyor devices.

5. Aeronautics. a hinged horizontal surface on an airplane or the like, used to control the longitudinal inclination and usually placed at the tail end of the fuselage.

6. elevator shoe.

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elevator British  

/ ˈɛlɪˌveɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that elevates

2. a mechanical hoist for raising something, esp grain or coal, often consisting of a chain of scoops linked together on a conveyor belt

3. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): lift.  a platform, compartment, or cage raised or lowered in a vertical shaft to transport persons or goods in a building

4. a large granary equipped with an elevator and, usually, facilities for cleaning and grading the grain

5. any muscle that raises a part of the body

6. a surgical instrument for lifting a part of the body

7. a control surface on the tailplane of an aircraft, for making it climb or descend

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Etymology

Origin of elevator

1640–50; < Late Latin ēlevātor, equivalent to ēlevā ( re ) ( elevate ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

We live stacked on top of one another—sharing walls, elevators, package rooms — yet often remain total strangers, bound only by the mutual recognition of each other’s dogs or preferred laundry times.

From Salon

After the lights dimmed on Dr. Achebe, the group was ushered out of the theater directly into a large elevator.

From Literature

A former colleague used to talk about the time he was interviewing Mel Brooks in a hotel lobby when the elevator opened and an elegant figure walked out.

From The Wall Street Journal

First-floor access or an elevator is key, as is being close to friends and family who can provide community and emotional support.

From MarketWatch

"I live in a new building on the 17th floor, but we have no elevator, no electricity and no water supply," says Alina.

From BBC

Related Words

• escalator