First Known Use: 1900
Dictionary
1escalator
noun es·ca·la·tor \ˈes-kə-ˌlā-tər, ÷-kyə-\
: a moving set of stairs that carries people up or down from one level of a building to another
Full Definition of ESCALATOR
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>
2
: an escalator clause or provision
See escalator defined for English-language learners
See escalator defined for kids
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Origin of ESCALATOR
from Escalator, a trademark
Rhymes with ESCALATOR
abdicator, abnegator, activator, actuator, adulator, advocator, agitator, alligator, allocator, animator, annotator, applicator, arbitrator, aspirator, aviator, brachiator, buccinator, calculator, calibrator, captivator, carburetor, castigator, circulator, commentator, commutator, compensator, compurgator, concentrator, confiscator, congregator, consecrator, consummator, contemplator, corporator, correlator, cultivator, decorator, defalcator, delegator, demonstrator, denigrator, depredator, desecrater, designator, detonator, deviator, dissipater, dominator, dura mater, educator, elevator, emulator, estimator, excavator, explicator, expurgator, extirpator, fabricator, fascinator, figure skater, flocculator, formulator, fornicator, fractionator, fumigator, generator, gladiator, hesitater, hibernator, imitator, immolator, impregnator, incubator, indicator, infiltrator, in-line skater, innovator, inhalator, inspirator, instigator, insulator, integrator, lacrimator, liberator, liquidator, literator, lubricator, macerator, masticator, mediator, mitigator, moderator, modulator, motivator, mutilator, navigator, nomenclator, nominator, numerator, obturator, operator, orchestrator, oscillator, peculator, percolator, perforator, perpetrator, pia mater, pollinator, postulator, procreator, procurator, promulgator, propagator, punctuator, radiator, re-creator, remonstrator, renovator, resonator, respirator, revelator, roller skater, rubricator, rusticator, salivator, second-rater, selling-plater, separator, simulator, stimulator, subjugator, Sunset Crater, syncopator, syndicator, tabulator, terminator, vaccinator, vacillator, valuator, venerator, ventilator, vindicator, violator, vitiator
2escalator
adjective
Definition of ESCALATOR
: providing for a periodic proportional upward or downward adjustment (as of prices or wages) <an escalator arrangement tying the base pay … to living costs — N. Y. Times>
First Known Use of ESCALATOR
1930
Rhymes with ESCALATOR
ESCALATOR Defined for Kids
escalator
noun es·ca·la·tor \ˈe-skə-ˌlā-tər\
Definition of ESCALATOR for Kids
: a moving stairway for going from one level (as of a building) to another
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