escalator

IPA/ˈeskəleɪtə(r)/
KK[ˈɛskəlˌetɚ]IPA/ˈeskəleɪtər/

escalator — noun

  • escalatorsingular
  • escalatorsplural

1. An electrically powered moving stairway whose linked steps travel in a continuou

1.nounA2
Definition

An electrically powered moving stairway whose linked steps travel in a continuous loop, so that people can stand still while being carried from one floor level to another inside a building.

Example

Gabriel stood on the right of the escalator so others could walk past him.

stand on the right, walk on the left (etiquette)

The escalator broke down, so we had to climb the stairs instead.

Common collocations
  • ride the escalator
  • take the escalator
  • escalator breaks down
  • escalator carries passengers
  • escalator connects floors
  • step onto an escalator
  • step off an escalator
  • escalator etiquette
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • stairs

    fixed steps that do not move; you must walk up or down them yourself

  • elevator

    a box-like vertical lift that carries people inside a closed car, rather than an open staircase

Grammar Patterns

usually singular

Common Mistakes

I took the escalator to go up to the third floor.
I took the escalator up to the third floor.
'take the escalator' already implies movement; adding 'to go' is redundant.
I rode the elevator to the second floor.' (when you mean escalator).
I rode the escalator to the second floor.
an elevator moves within a closed shaft; an escalator is an open moving staircase.

2. A formal-contract provision that triggers automatic increases or decreases to pa

2.nounC1
Definition

A formal-contract provision that triggers automatic increases or decreases to pay, costs, or payments whenever a linked benchmark — such as the cost-of-living index — changes.

Example

The union asked for an escalator clause that would protect workers when prices rose.

escalator clause

Emre's employment contract included an escalator that raised his salary each year with inflation.

Common collocations
  • escalator clause
  • include an escalator
  • add an escalator clause
  • contract escalator
  • wage escalator
  • rent escalator
  • cost-of-living escalator
Synonyms
  • escalation clause

    fuller, slightly more formal version of the same term

  • adjustment clause

    broader term; can refer to any automatic change, not only cost-of-living adjustments

Grammar Patterns

escalator + noun

escalator clause

Usage Note

Frequently used in the compound form 'escalator clause'. Common in labour contracts, rental agreements, and long-term service contracts. Not used for one-off transactions.

Common Mistakes

The escalator in my lease is broken.
The escalator clause in my lease needs to be reviewed.
'escalator' alone in a legal context means the clause, not a broken machine.

escalator — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

An escalator is an open, continuously moving staircase that carries people between floors; you step onto the moving steps and ride them rather than climbing. An elevator (or lift) is a closed car that travels vertically inside a shaft — passengers enter, press a button, and wait for the doors to open at their floor. Stairs are the most basic option: fixed steps that you must climb or descend on foot, with no mechanical assistance at all. A moving walkway (often called a travelator or moving pavement) is a flat conveyor belt that moves people along a level or gently sloping surface, typically found in long airport corridors. In short: escalators move you vertically with steps, elevators move you vertically in a cabin, stairs require your own leg power, and moving walkways move you horizontally.

escalator ↗elevator ↗stairs ↗moving walkway

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • take the escalator
  • ride the escalator
  • escalator clause
  • escalator wage
  • escalator pricing

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'escalator' was created in 1900 as a trademark by the Otis Elevator Company. It blends 'escalade' (from the Latin 'scala' meaning ladder or stairs) with 'elevator', coining a name for the company's new moving staircase. Over time the trademark became the generic English word for any powered moving staircase.