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
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The commercial real estate investor is considering removing the escalator and adding a large restaurant in future phases, Brooks said.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
Key projects include modernizing restrooms, resurfacing taxiways, installing new elevators and escalators and upgrading the baggage handling system.
—Destiny Torres, Oc Register, 16 May 2025
The explosion then ruptures the mall escalators, exposing their internal machinery, into which Lori Milligan (Shantel VanSanten) is pulled and then crushed.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalator
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Noun
The stairways and escalators of MSG, often a vibrant afterparty following wins, were quiet, too.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The commercial real estate investor is considering removing the escalator and adding a large restaurant in future phases, Brooks said.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
Key projects include modernizing restrooms, resurfacing taxiways, installing new elevators and escalators and upgrading the baggage handling system.
—Destiny Torres, Oc Register, 16 May 2025
The explosion then ruptures the mall escalators, exposing their internal machinery, into which Lori Milligan (Shantel VanSanten) is pulled and then crushed.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalator
Cite this Entry
“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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