Definitions

1. noun

a moving staircase of stairs on a continuous band, often powered by electricity, for carrying people between floors in a building

“She got on the escalator to head to the second floor of the shopping mall.”

2. noun

something that leads to an increase or escalation in a situation

“The news of the scandal was the escalator that led to the politician’s downfall.”

3. verb

to make or become more intense or severe

“The crisis escalated quickly, and the government had to intervene.”