Meaning & Definition of word "Elevator"

Elevator

/ˈɛlɪveɪtər/

1. A platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different floors or levels.
- Example: We took the elevator to the top floor of the building.
2. A mechanical device that moves goods or people between floors in a building.
- Example: The hospital has a special elevator for transporting patients.
3. A structure or machine used to lift grain or other bulk materials.
- Example: The farmer stored the harvest in the grain elevator.

Late 19th century: from Latin elevare, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out’ + levare ‘to lift’.

elevator pitch:

A brief, persuasive speech that you can use to spark interest in what you or your organization does.

up the elevator:

To rise in rank or status.

going down the elevator:

To lose rank or status.

lift:

A device similar to an elevator used primarily in British English.

escalator:

A moving staircase that conveys people between floors.

Meaning: Elevator music

Example Sentence: People often refer to soft instrumental music played in elevators as elevator music.

Meaning: Up and down like an elevator

Example Sentence: His mood swings were so severe, it was like he was up and down like an elevator.