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
Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
After descending down a gold escalator at Trump Tower, the site of his family’s penthouse that was their primary residence until 2019, Trump announced his White House bid.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
In the nine years since Donald Trump descended the golden escalator in Trump Tower, Republican politicians have become less and less likely to publicly disagree with him.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024
Use the stairs instead of escalator or elevator when possible.1
Stretch regularly during the day.7
Vary your daily routine, don't let your body get into a rigid, repetitive cycle.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escalator 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Lopez has opposed Trump since the former president descended down the golden escalator at Trump Tower in 2015 to declare his first campaign.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
After descending down a gold escalator at Trump Tower, the site of his family’s penthouse that was their primary residence until 2019, Trump announced his White House bid.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
In the nine years since Donald Trump descended the golden escalator in Trump Tower, Republican politicians have become less and less likely to publicly disagree with him.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024
Use the stairs instead of escalator or elevator when possible.1
Stretch regularly during the day.7
Vary your daily routine, don't let your body get into a rigid, repetitive cycle.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escalator
Articles Related to escalator
Dictionary Entries Near escalator
Cite this Entry
“Escalator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalator. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share