B1noun1K

Elevator

UK /["/ˈelɪveɪtə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈelɪveɪtər/"]/

Definition

a machine that carries people or goods up and down to different levels in a building or a mine

In simple words: A machine that moves people up and down between floors in a building.

Examples

  • It's on the fifth floor, so we'd better take the elevator.
  • He rode the elevator to the 43rd floor.
  • One guy fell down the elevator shaft.
  • The agents in the station sent the checked baggage downstairs on a freight elevator.
  • The elevator dinged and the door opened.
  • The elevator doors closed behind her.
  • We took a creaky old elevator up to the third floor.
  • York pressed the button to call the elevator.
  • In the harbour a giant elevator stores prairie grain.

Usage notes

Commonly used in buildings. Avoid using in very formal writing. In casual contexts, you might hear 'lift' instead, especially in British English.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'elevate' – it helps you rise to a higher floor.

Collocations

  • glass
  • express
  • high-speed
  • ride
  • take
  • use
  • go up
  • descend
  • go down
  • shaft
  • door
  • button

Synonyms

  • lift
  • hoist
  • platform

Antonyms

  • staircase
  • steps

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'escalator' which is a moving staircase.
  • Pronounced incorrectly as 'elavator' instead of 'elevator'.