elevator
gb/ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/ us/ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Machine for moving between floors
A machine that carries people or things up and down in a tall building.
Usage pattern:
to take [the elevator] to [a floor]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'elevator' with 'escalator', but an escalator is a moving staircase, not an enclosed lift.
Synonyms
lift (Commonly used in British English with the same meaning.)
Antonyms
stairs (A fixed set of steps for going between floors, instead of a machine.)
Collocations
take the elevator
|wait for the elevator
|ride the elevator
|call the elevator
|get off the elevator
Themes
daily life
|buildings
|transport
|housing
|daily_life
Examples
- We took the elevator to the tenth floor.
- The elevator was out of service, so we had to walk.
- She pressed the button to call the elevator.
- The hotel has a glass elevator with a city view.
- An attendant operated the old-fashioned elevator.
Learner examples
- I go up to my room in the elevator.
- The elevator is fast.
- We wait for the elevator.
- He takes the elevator to the top floor.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
Aircraft tail pitch control surface
A part on the back of an airplane's tail that moves to make the airplane go up or down.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'elevator' here means a lift in an airport building, but in aviation it refers to a part of an airplane.
Synonyms
tailplane control surface (More technical term describing its function on the aircraft.)
Antonyms
rudder (A control surface that controls yaw, not pitch.)
Collocations
adjust the elevator
|move the elevator
|elevator control
|elevator trim
Themes
aviation
|engineering
|transportation
|technology
Examples
- The pilot adjusted the elevator to climb higher.
- A malfunction in the elevator caused the nose to drop suddenly.
- Technicians inspected the elevators after turbulence.
- The aircraft's elevators are connected to the control yoke.
Learner examples
- The airplane moves up when the elevator moves.
- The pilot checks the elevator before flying.
- A strong wind can move the airplane's elevator.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Structure for storing and moving grain
A tall building where grain is stored and moved using machines.
Synonyms
silo (Similar storage structure, but silo is often for long-term storage without machinery for moving grain.)
Collocations
grain elevator
|load the elevator
|operate the elevator
Themes
agriculture
|industry
|food_drink
|business
Examples
- The farmer delivered wheat to the local grain elevator.
- The grain elevator can hold thousands of tons of corn.
- Workers repaired the conveyor inside the elevator.
Learner examples
- The farmer takes grain to the elevator.
- The elevator stores a lot of corn.
- The big elevator is near the train tracks.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elevator
IPA
GB/ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/
US/ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
el - ev - at - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (el)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: elevator
- Plural: elevators
Word family
Expressions
call the elevator
1/kˈɔl ðə ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
Summon an elevator to your floor
To press a button so that an elevator comes to your floor.
Examples
- She called the elevator by pressing the button.
- You need to call the elevator before you can get in.
ride the elevator
1/ɹˈaɪd ðə ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
Travel inside an elevator between floors
To go up or down in a building by being inside an elevator.
Examples
- We rode the elevator all the way to the top floor.
- He doesn't like to ride the elevator because he's claustrophobic.
take the elevator
1/tˈeɪk ðə ˈɛləvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
Use an elevator to go between floors
To use an elevator to go up or down in a building.
Examples
- We took the elevator instead of climbing five flights of stairs.
- If you're tired, you can take the elevator to your room.