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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of escalator

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

Example Sentences

The best explanation I got was: Imagine there’s an escalator that takes you up, but when you get to the top of the escalator you’re down.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

It features a scene where she and actor Domhnall Gleeson go down an escalator holding pretzels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

“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 • Jan. 12, 2026

The new terminal has a much bigger and better security-lane setup, which should alleviate the legendary bottlenecks caused by a cramped space at the bottom of an escalator in the old venue.

From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025

We took the escalator down into the station and walked to the ticket machine.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks