elevator
elevator
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "elevator" (using US pronunciation as a common reference) is: /ˈɛləˌveɪtɚ/
Syllable Breakdown
el- /ɛl/
/ɛ/: as in "bed"
/l/: as in "light"
uh- /ə/
/ə/: the "schwa" sound, as in the "a" in "about"
vay- /veɪ/
/v/: as in "voice"
/eɪ/: as in "day"
tor /tɚ/
/t/: as in "top" (often a flapped /t̬/ sound, similar to the "dd" in "ladder" in American English)
/ɚ/: the "er" sound, as in "bird"
Word Form Variations
The primary word form variations for "elevator" are:
Singular Noun: elevator
Plural Noun: elevators
While "elevator" itself doesn't have verb or adjective forms directly derived from it, it comes from the verb "elevate." Related words include:
Verb: elevate (to raise or lift to a higher position)
Adjective: elevated (raised; high; exalted)
Noun (action/state): elevation (the act of elevating or the state of being elevated)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A mechanized enclosed platform or compartment, typically powered by cables or hydraulic systems, designed to transport people and/or goods vertically between different floors or levels within a building or other structure.
Synonyms: lift (British English), hoist, dumbwaiter (for smaller versions)
Antonyms: stairs (as an alternative mode of vertical travel), escalator (though also a vertical transport, it's a moving staircase)
Definition 2: A structure, often a tall building, equipped with machinery for the reception, storage, and handling of grain, typically used in agricultural settings.
Synonyms: grain elevator, silo, granary, storage plant
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific structural function)
Definition 3 (Aeronautics): A hinged control surface, usually located on the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft's tail, used to control the pitch (nose up or down) of the aircraft during flight.
Synonyms: horizontal stabilizer (part of the tail assembly where the elevator is located)
Antonyms: rudder (controls yaw), aileron (controls roll)
Definition 4 (Medical/Surgical): A surgical instrument used to lift or raise tissues, bones, or teeth, particularly during procedures such as extractions or bone fragment manipulation.
Synonyms: lever, lifter (in a surgical context)
Antonyms: depressor (an instrument used to press down)
Examples of Use
In Books:
Fiction: In Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972), the titular elevator is not just for vertical transport, but also flies through space, defying traditional physics and serving as a fantastical plot device.
Fiction: The suspenseful climax of many thrillers often features an elevator, as seen in various "stuck in an elevator" scenarios found in romance and suspense novels, where characters are forced into close quarters or dangerous situations (Goodreads.com list of "Fiction: Stuck/Trapped in an Elevator").
In Newspapers:
"Crews fix one elevator at San Diego apartment building with senior residents" (CBS 8, July 2025) – This headline highlights the critical role of elevators in accessibility and daily life, particularly for vulnerable populations, and the impact when they malfunction.
"After more than 6 months, Langley senior home elevator finally fixed" (Globalnews.ca, July 2025) – This article underscores the significant disruption and hardship caused by a prolonged elevator outage in a residential building, emphasizing its essential function.
In Online Publications:
Technology & Innovation: "An Exploration of Elevator Cloud Solutions" (Elevator World, February 2025) discusses how digital technologies, AI, and IoT are being integrated into elevator systems to enhance safety, optimize operations, and predict maintenance needs, showcasing the evolution of elevator technology.
Architectural Design: Articles on architectural and urban planning websites frequently discuss the role of elevators in modern skyscraper design, examining how their speed and efficiency enable the construction of taller and more densely populated buildings.
In Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: The movie Speed (1994) features a dramatic opening scene where a group of people are trapped in an elevator rigged with explosives, demonstrating the elevator as a focal point for high-stakes suspense.
Film: In Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), the "Great Glass Elevator" serves as a whimsical and extraordinary mode of transport, showcasing the imaginative potential of the concept beyond practical functionality.
Television Series: Many sitcoms and dramas use elevator scenes for brief, awkward, or revealing character interactions, such as in The Office where characters frequently have short, often uncomfortable, exchanges during elevator rides.
Music: The Aerosmith song "Love in an Elevator" (1989) uses the setting of an elevator for a metaphorical and literal depiction of a spontaneous romantic encounter.
Video Games: Many video games incorporate elevators as transition points between levels or as part of puzzle-solving mechanics, requiring players to operate or repair them to progress.
In General Public Discourse:
Safety Discussions: Public discourse often revolves around elevator safety, especially after incidents of malfunction or entrapment. Building management, regulatory bodies, and residents frequently discuss inspection requirements, maintenance schedules, and emergency procedures related to elevators (Columbia University, January 2012, on "Elevator Safety").
"Elevator Pitch": The term "elevator pitch" is widely used in business and professional contexts, referring to a concise, persuasive summary of an idea, product, or one's professional background that can be delivered within the short timeframe of an elevator ride (Tennessee Tech University, "The 30 Second Elevator Speech"). This phrase highlights the common understanding of an elevator as a place of brief, opportune encounters.
Accessibility Debates: Discussions about urban planning and building codes often include the importance of elevators for accessibility, particularly for individuals with mobility challenges, ensuring equitable access to public and private spaces.
10 Quotes Using Elevator
"There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs." (Zig Ziglar)
"If you're lucky enough to do well, it's your responsibility to send the elevator back down." (Kevin Spacey)
"Life is like an elevator. On your way up, sometimes you have to stop and let some people off." (Ziad K. Abdelnour)
"If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button." (Sam Levenson)
"Never take an elevator in city hall." (Harvey Milk)
"When you wash your hands, when you make a cup of coffee, when you're waiting for the elevator - instead of indulging in thinking, these are all opportunities for being there as a still, alert presence." (Eckhart Tolle)
"We've made elevator music of Jesus Christ. We've made Him the most boring, bland, blah person; and He was the most revolutionary man." (John Eldredge)
"One of my books is a hallucinogen, an aphrodisiac, a mood elevator, an intellectual garage door opener, and a metaphysical trash compactor." (Tom Robbins)
"Americans have different ways of saying things. They say 'elevator', we say 'lift'." (Alexei Sayle)
"I've taken clowns into the war in Bosnia, the refugee camps of Kosovo, and none of those are any more important than clowning in a subway or an elevator or just walking down the street." (Patch Adams)
Etymology
The word "elevator" has a fascinating journey through time, rooted in Latin.
It comes from the Latin word "elevare," which means "to lift up" or "to raise." Think of words like "elevate" or "elevation" – they all share that same root meaning of raising something.
When the word "elevator" first appeared in English, back in the mid-1600s (around 1646), its meaning was quite different from what we associate with it today. It was originally used to describe muscles that lifted a part of the body, or generally anything that "raised up" or "uplifted" something. So, it referred more to the action of raising or the thing that performed the raising, rather than the specific mechanical device.
It wasn't until much later, in the late 1700s (around 1787), that "elevator" began to be used for a mechanical device designed to lift things, specifically for grain. This was a simpler, often open platform or conveyor system used to move grain in storage facilities.
The meaning we commonly use today, referring to the enclosed cabin that moves people and goods up and down in buildings, became more widespread in the 19th century, particularly with the invention of safer passenger lifts by people like Elisha Otis. So, while the word has ancient roots, its modern usage for vertical transport in buildings is a more recent development.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Elevator
Elevator pitch: A short, persuasive speech used to quickly and effectively present an idea, product, or oneself, as if in the time it takes to ride an elevator.
Elevator music: Bland, unobtrusive background music, typically played in public spaces like elevators, often implying something uninspired or boring.
Your elevator doesn't stop at all floors: An informal and somewhat rude way to suggest that someone is not very intelligent or is slow-witted. (Source: Idiom Land, Pinterest)
Going up like an elevator: To be very successful or to quickly rise in status. (Source: CREST Olympiads)
To take the elevator route: To choose the easiest or most direct path to a goal, often implying a shortcut. (Source: CREST Olympiads)
To get stuck in the elevator: To be in an unexpected and often awkward or difficult situation where progress is halted.
To call the elevator: To summon the elevator to one's floor.
To push the right elevator buttons: To know exactly how to interact with people or a system to get the desired outcome.
A lift in spirits: (Using "lift" as a synonym for "elevator") A sudden improvement in one's mood or emotional state.
To get a lift: (Using "lift" as a synonym for "elevator") To get a ride or transportation from someone.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of elevator from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
