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
Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
The deal also includes an eighth-year club option and has escalators that bring the maximum value of the contract to $131 million.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Because there is no escalator to the top of the dome, Chalamet would have to summit a maze of catwalks and gangplanks in full protective gear.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Building officials warned the leak is impacting elevators and escalators.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalator
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Noun
General manager of the slope, Kensuke Tamagawa, told the outlet that staffers were instructed not to go near the escalator for safety reasons.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
The deal also includes an eighth-year club option and has escalators that bring the maximum value of the contract to $131 million.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Because there is no escalator to the top of the dome, Chalamet would have to summit a maze of catwalks and gangplanks in full protective gear.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Building officials warned the leak is impacting elevators and escalators.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 19 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2025.
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