elevator

[ el-uh-vey-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that elevates or raises.
2. a moving platform or cage for carrying passengers or freight from one level to another, as in a building.
3. any of various mechanical devices for raising objects or materials.
4. a building in which grain is stored and handled by means of mechanical elevator and conveyor devices.
5. Aeronautics. a hinged horizontal surface on an airplane or the like, used to control the longitudinal inclination and usually placed at the tail end of the fuselage.
6. elevator shoe.

elevator

/ ˈɛlɪˌveɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that elevates
2. a mechanical hoist for raising something, esp grain or coal, often consisting of a chain of scoops linked together on a conveyor belt
3. a platform, compartment, or cage raised or lowered in a vertical shaft to transport persons or goods in a building Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)lift
4. a large granary equipped with an elevator and, usually, facilities for cleaning and grading the grain
5. any muscle that raises a part of the body
6. a surgical instrument for lifting a part of the body
7. a control surface on the tailplane of an aircraft, for making it climb or descend

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevator¹

1640–50; < Late Latin ēlevātor, equivalent to ēlevā ( re ) ( elevate ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Never mind that this particular trip involves a drive of only four miles from home and a short elevator ride to our seats.

From Washington Post

They’re willing to pay, but then the elevator’s completely full.

From Washington Post

Staircases, elevators, and escalators will be labeled to keep everybody moving in the same direction.

From Popular-Science

Co-workers do not bump into one another on the elevator or in hallways.

From Quartz

In terms of load times, elevator rides have been cut down significantly, with the option to skip them entirely to return to gameplay as quick as possible.

From Washington Post

Everybody is trapped in an elevator together and tempers run a little hot.

From The Daily Beast

The figure enters the elevator and is then seen quickly leaving the mall, black cloth flapping behind it.

From The Daily Beast

At that meeting, Rice told the Commissioner that he had hit Mrs. Rice in the elevator.

From The Daily Beast

Det. Johnson left in an elevator and I found myself alone in the building, save two women in the dispatch center.

From The Daily Beast

Yesterday, as I went up and down in the elevator, I could see men working there.

From The Daily Beast

They went up in the passenger elevator in the main building of the plant to a sort of glassed-in roof garden.

From Project Gutenberg

If therefore he should leave elevator shafts, or hatchways unguarded, he would be clearly liable for the consequences.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind him, a lobby lounger moved over to the elevator boy, jerking his chin in Wilson Lamb's direction as he asked a question.

From Project Gutenberg

She took the elevator, which carried her to an upper floor into the region of the ladies' waiting-rooms.

From Project Gutenberg

The elevator company must keep on hand enough grain to meet all outstanding receipts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• escalator