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
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Unlike in Arthur Ashe, the corporate suites in Rod Laver Arena are situated above the rest of the seats, so fans in the upper sections don’t have to ride a series of escalators to get past them.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
As is often the case with media rights, the amount started lower than that, and with escalators, the value will eventually exceed the yearly $334 million when the 25-year deal expires.
—Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
In April 2023, the Reds signed right-hander Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million deal with a club option for a seventh year and escalators that can bring the total value to more than $95 million, buying out two years of free agency.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalator
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Noun
Through a panel of glass doors, down a set of escalators, in one corner of a 250,000 square-foot convention hall, the NFL will stage its latest iteration of the Pro Bowl.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Unlike in Arthur Ashe, the corporate suites in Rod Laver Arena are situated above the rest of the seats, so fans in the upper sections don’t have to ride a series of escalators to get past them.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
As is often the case with media rights, the amount started lower than that, and with escalators, the value will eventually exceed the yearly $334 million when the 25-year deal expires.
—Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
In April 2023, the Reds signed right-hander Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million deal with a club option for a seventh year and escalators that can bring the total value to more than $95 million, buying out two years of free agency.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalator
Cite this Entry
“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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