Escalator Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：moving staircase (Escalator)

Escalator 🔊

/ˈɛs.kə.leɪ.tər/

A moving staircase that carries people up or down between floors of a building, like in shopping malls or subway stations.

moving staircase 🔊

➕

/ˈmuː.vɪŋ ˈstɛər.keɪs/

A moving staircase that carries people between floors, commonly found in malls, airports, and subway stations.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Blend of 'escalade' (from Latin 'scala' meaning ladder) and 'elevator'.

💡 Mnemonic

Escalator = escalate + elevator: it helps you escalate floors like an elevator, but with moving stairs.

📖 Example

After shopping, my mom was tired, so we took the escalator down instead of the stairs. 🔊 After shopping, my mom was tired, so we took the escalator down instead of the stairs.

🔗 Collocations

take the escalator – to ride or use the moving staircase

ride the escalator – to travel on the moving staircase

escalator up/down – an escalator going upward or downward

🔄 Synonyms

moving staircase (n.) – a staircase that moves mechanically

automatic stairs (n.) – stairs that move automatically, same as escalator

travelator (n.) – a moving walkway, similar in concept but horizontal

🚫 Antonyms

stairs (n.) – a fixed set of steps that you walk up or down

elevator (n.) – a vertical lifting device for moving people between floors

ladder (n.) – a portable climbing device with rungs

🌱 Derivatives

escalate (v.) – to increase or become more intense

escalatory (adj.) – relating to or involving escalation

escalation (n.) – the act of escalating

📖 Cultural Story

Coined by Charles Seeberger in 1900 as a brand name for the moving staircase, combining 'escalade' (from Latin 'scala' ladder) with 'elevator'. It became a genericized trademark.