escalator
/ˈɛskəleɪtə
/noun
A moving staircase consisting of an endlessly circulating belt of steps driven by a motor, which conveys people between the floors of a public building.Images submitted to the committee show a modern open-plan mall on two floors with escalators and coffee shops....
- Take the escalator to the third floor for all the photographic equipment.
- By 4.12 pm, they were on the escalator to the first floor of the ladies' department.
Origin
Early 20th century (originally US, as a trade name): from escalade 'climb a wall by ladder' (from escalade), on the pattern of elevator.