escalator

American  

[es-kuh-ley-ter] / ˈɛs kəˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. a continuously moving staircase on an endless loop for carrying passengers up or down.

2. a means of rising or descending, increasing or decreasing, etc., especially by stages.

   the social escalator.

3. escalator clause.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or included in an escalator clause.

   The union demands escalator protection of wages.

escalator British  

/ ˈɛskəˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a moving staircase consisting of stair treads fixed to a conveyor belt, for transporting passengers between levels, esp between the floors of a building

2. short for escalator clause

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Etymology

Origin of escalator

An Americanism first recorded in 1895–1900; formerly a trademark; perhaps escal(ade) + (elev)ator

Example Sentences

“You find walls built in factories, you see elevators, you see escalators,” said Smith.

From Los Angeles Times

“I fell down an escalator when I was pregnant with him.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“In the escalator example, the only value accrued to the customer. This is how it always goes if no monopoly rents can be charged by the producers or providers,” added Burry.

From MarketWatch

During a family vacation in Germany, she ended up at a hospital after toppling down an escalator.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Louis Vuitton opened a large flagship on the Champs-Élysées 20 years ago, there was genuine shock that a luxury store would even have an escalator.

From The Wall Street Journal