World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesEscalator
/ˈɛs.kə.leɪ.tər/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A moving staircase that carries people between floors of a building.
"The escalator at the mall was out of order, so we had to use the stairs." - 2
A mechanical device consisting of a continuous belt of steps that moves up or down.
"The escalator in the subway station was crowded during rush hour."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The word 'escalator' originated in the early 20th century, derived from the Latin 'scala' meaning 'ladder' and the suffix '-ator' which indicates an agent or something that performs an action. It was first used to describe a moving staircase designed to transport people between different levels.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Escalator"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Escalator" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
escalier roulant
Transliteration: es-ka-lee-ay roo-lahn
"L'escalier roulant au centre commercial était en panne."
Rolltreppe
Transliteration: rol-trep-pe
"Die Rolltreppe im Einkaufszentrum war außer Betrieb."
scala mobile
Transliteration: ska-la mo-bi-le
"La scala mobile al centro commerciale era rotta."
escalera mecánica
Transliteration: es-ka-le-ra me-ka-ni-ka
"La escalera mecánica en el centro comercial estaba fuera de servicio."
escada rolante
Transliteration: es-ka-da ro-lan-te
"A escada rolante no shopping estava quebrada."
चलती सीढ़ी
Transliteration: chalti seedhi
"शॉपिंग मॉल में चलती सीढ़ी खराब हो गई थी।"
自动扶梯
Transliteration: zì dòng fú tī
"购物中心的自动扶梯坏了。"
에스컬레이터
Transliteration: eseukeolleiteo
"쇼핑몰의 에스컬레이터가 고장났어요."
エスカレーター
Transliteration: esukarētā
"ショッピングモールのエスカレーターが故障しました。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsPlacing the customer's needs, experiences, and preferences at the center of a business's philosophy, operations, and decision-making.
The cold temperature or biting quality of the air characteristic of winter.
To walk with difficulty, typically because of physical injury or stiffness in the legs or feet.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Escalator"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.