Escalator
ˈeskəleɪtər
Definitions
A moving staircase that carries people up or down between floors.
ˈeskəleɪtər
A moving staircase for carrying passengers between floors of a building.
The department store has an escalator to each floor.
💡 Simply: Imagine a set of steps that moves by itself, like a conveyor belt for people! It helps you go up or down in a building or the subway without having to walk.
👶 For kids: It's like a moving staircase that helps you go up or down!
More Examples
I always take the escalator instead of the stairs when I'm tired.
The escalator was broken, so we had to use the elevator.
How It's Used
"The mall is equipped with several escalators to facilitate movement between the floors."
"Please stand to the right on the escalator to allow people to pass on the left."
Coined in the early 20th century from the name 'Escalator', a portmanteau of 'elevator' and 'scala' (Latin for 'steps'), by Charles Seeberger, who patented the device.
The word entered common use with the widespread adoption of the mechanical device in the early 20th century. Early uses often referred to the patented 'Escalator' brand itself.
Memory tip
Think of a staircase that's always going, like an 'escalating' flow of steps.
Word Origin
"scala - stairs"