moving stairway

noun

escalator(def 1).
Also called moving staircase.

Origin of moving stairway

First recorded in 1905–10

Words nearby moving stairway

moving, moving average, moving coil, moving sidewalk, moving staircase, moving stairway, moving target indicator, moving van, moving violation, moviola, mow

Definition for moving staircase (2 of 2)

escalator
[ es-kuh-ley-ter ]
/ ˈɛs kəˌleɪ tər /

noun

Also called moving staircase, moving stairway. a continuously moving stairway on an endless loop for carrying passengers up or down.
a means of rising or descending, increasing or decreasing, etc., especially by stages: the social escalator.
escalator clause.

adjective

of, relating to, or included in an escalator clause: The union demands escalator protection of wages.

Origin of escalator

1895–1900, Americanism; formerly a trademark; perhaps escal(ade) + (elev)ator

British Dictionary definitions for moving staircase (1 of 2)

moving staircase

moving stairway

noun

less common terms for escalator (def. 1)

British Dictionary definitions for moving staircase (2 of 2)

escalator
/ (ˈɛskəˌleɪtə) /

noun

a moving staircase consisting of stair treads fixed to a conveyor belt, for transporting passengers between levels, esp between the floors of a building
short for escalator clause

Word Origin for escalator

C20: originally a trademark