elevator

el-e-va-tor · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (North American) A platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different floors or levels; a lift.

  2. 2.

    A machine consisting of an endless belt with scoops attached, used for raising grain or other materials.

  3. 3.

    (aviation) A hinged flap on the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft, used to control pitch.

  4. 4.

    (anatomy) A muscle that raises a body part.

Forms

plural: elevators

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    elevator music — bland, inoffensive background music
  • •
    elevator pitch — a brief, persuasive speech to spark interest
  • •
    elevator shaft — the vertical passage containing an elevator

Related words

See also: elevate, elevated, escalator, lift
Synonyms: lift (British English)

Etymology

From Latin elevare ("to lift up"), from e- ("out") + levare ("to lighten, lift"). The word was coined in American English in the mid-19th century for the vertical transport machine.