ESCALATOR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does escalator mean? 

• ESCALATOR (noun)
  The noun ESCALATOR has 2 senses:

1. a clause in a contract that provides for an increase or a decrease in wages or prices or benefits etc. depending on certain conditions (as a change in the cost of living index)

2. a stairway whose steps move continuously on a circulating belt

  Familiarity information: ESCALATOR used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ESCALATOR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A clause in a contract that provides for an increase or a decrease in wages or prices or benefits etc. depending on certain conditions (as a change in the cost of living index)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

escalator; escalator clause

Hypernyms ("escalator" is a kind of...):

article; clause (a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A stairway whose steps move continuously on a circulating belt

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

escalator; moving staircase; moving stairway

Hypernyms ("escalator" is a kind of...):

staircase; stairway (a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps)