Elevator
ˈelɪˌveɪtər
Definitions
3 meaningsA mechanical device used for vertical transportation between levels in a building or structure.
ˈelɪˌveɪtər
A platform or cage that moves people or things up and down between floors of a building.
We took the elevator to the tenth floor.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little box that takes you up and down in tall buildings. That's an elevator! Instead of walking up stairs, you step in and it magically carries you.
👶 For kids: It's like a box that goes up and down to different floors in a building!
More Examples
The elevator was out of service, so we had to use the stairs.
I prefer the elevator to the stairs when I'm carrying groceries.
How It's Used
"The office building has two elevators for public use and a service elevator for goods."
"She waited impatiently for the elevator to arrive on the ground floor."
A hinged surface on the tail of an aircraft that controls the pitch (movement up and down).
ˈelɪˌveɪtər
A device on an aircraft used to control the pitch.
The pilot checked the elevators before takeoff.
💡 Simply: For planes, it's a special part that helps the plane go up and down, like the steering wheel for vertical movement.
👶 For kids: The thing on a plane that helps it go up and down!
More Examples
Damage to an elevator can affect the plane's stability.
The elevators allowed the plane to climb to its cruising altitude.
How It's Used
"The pilot adjusted the elevators to control the plane's ascent and descent."
To promote, improve, or raise to a higher status.
ˈelɪˌveɪtər
To raise or lift someone or something.
The new role will elevate his career.
💡 Simply: This elevator doesn't move you up and down, but helps to raise your status, make your mood better, or lift your spirits!
👶 For kids: To make something better, like when you elevate your game!
More Examples
The aim of the project is to elevate the standards of education.
We hope to elevate the spirits of the team.
How It's Used
"The company's marketing campaign aims to elevator their brand's image."
Idioms & expressions
go up and down
Describes the movement of an elevator.
"The elevator goes up and down smoothly."
take the elevator
To use the elevator.
"We should take the elevator, it's faster."
From Late Latin *elevatorius*, from Latin *elevare* 'to raise'. The mechanical lifting device appeared in the mid-19th century.
The first hydraulic elevators appeared in the mid-19th century, before the invention of electric motors made them widespread.