Lift vs. Elevator: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on November 18, 2023
"Lift" and "Elevator" both refer to a mechanical device for moving people or goods vertically, but "Lift" is British English, while "Elevator" is American English.
Key Differences
"Lift" and "Elevator" essentially mean the same thing: they are both terms for a type of transport device that moves people or items vertically between different levels or floors in a building. "Lift" is the term commonly used in British English, while "Elevator" is the preference in American English.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Both "Lift" and "Elevator" are nouns when referring to the device, but it's interesting to note that "lift" can also be a verb, meaning to move or bring something upwards from a lower to a higher position, which is not the case with "elevator."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
In a mechanical context, both "Lift" and "Elevator" function the same. They typically use a motor and a series of cables or hydraulics to raise and lower a platform or compartment. However, the terminology simply differs based on regional English preferences.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
"Lift" and "Elevator" are synonymous and interchangeable when discussing travel within a building. They both signify a closed space, usually big enough for several people, designed to move vertically within a shaft.
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
The terms "Lift" and "Elevator" also extend to other types of lifting devices beyond buildings. For instance, "ski lift" or "elevator shoes," but the principle remains the same: they're designed to elevate or lift something from a lower position to a higher one.
Sara Rehman
Nov 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Function
Moves people/goods vertically between floors
Moves people/goods vertically between floors
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Context
Can be used in various contexts beyond buildings
Generally used for devices in buildings
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
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Lift and Elevator Definitions
Lift
A feeling of elation or elevated spirit.
Winning the game gave the team a lift.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Elevator
A mechanism for raising or lowering something, often used in machinery.
The grain elevator stores and processes the harvest.
Sara Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Lift
An act of picking up someone or something and moving them/it to a different position.
He gave her a lift onto the horse’s back.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Elevator
A control surface on an aircraft used to make it ascend or descend.
The pilot adjusted the elevator to stabilize the plane.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Lift
To direct or carry from a lower to a higher position; raise
Lift one's eyes.
Lifted the suitcase.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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Elevator
A moving platform or cage for carrying passengers or freight from one level to another, as in a building.
They waited for the elevator to arrive.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Elevator
A type of shoe or shoe insert that increases the wearer's height.
He wears elevators to appear taller.
Harlon Moss
Oct 21, 2023
Elevator
A platform or an enclosure raised and lowered in a vertical shaft to transport people or freight.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
The enclosure or platform with its operating equipment, motor, cables, and accessories.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A movable control surface, usually attached to the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft, that is used to produce motion up or down.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To raise in condition, rank, or esteem
Work that lifted her in the eyes of her colleagues.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A mechanism, often with buckets or scoops attached to a conveyor, used for hoisting materials.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A permanent construction with a built-in platform or cab that can be raised and lowered, used to transport people and goods, as between different floors of a building.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A silo used for storing wheat, corn or other grain (grain elevator).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
(Informal) To copy from something already published; plagiarize
Lifted whole paragraphs from the encyclopedia.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
(aeronautics) A control surface of an aircraft responsible for controlling the pitching motion of the machine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A dental instrument used to pry up ("elevate") teeth in difficult extractions, or depressed portions of bone.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To perform cosmetic surgery on (the face, for example), especially in order to remove wrinkles or sagging skin.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
(anatomy) Any muscle that serves to raise a part of the body, such as the leg or the eye.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A type of shoe having an insert lift to make the wearer appear taller.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A mechanical contrivance, usually an endless belt or chain with a series of scoops or buckets, for transferring grain to an upper loft for storage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A cage or platform (called an elevator car) and the hoisting machinery in a hotel, warehouse, mine, etc., for conveying persons, goods, etc., to or from different floors or levels; - called in England a lift; the cage or platform itself.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To disappear or disperse by or as if by rising
By afternoon the smog had lifted.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A muscle which serves to raise a part of the body, as the leg or the eye.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A movable plane or group of planes used to control the altitude or fore-and-aft poise or inclination of an airship or flying machine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
Lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
The airfoil on the tailplane of an aircraft that makes it ascend or descend
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
An organized effort or a flight transporting supplies or people by airplane; an airlift.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Elevator
A device used to lift or move material in a warehouse.
We need to use the elevator for these heavy items.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Lift
The extent or height to which something is raised or rises; the amount of elevation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
A raised, high, or erect position, as of a part of the body
The lift of his chin.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
One of the layers of leather, rubber, or other material making up the heel of a shoe.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
A ride in a vehicle given to help someone reach a destination
Gave my friend a lift into town.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The component of the total aerodynamic force acting on an airfoil or on an entire aircraft or winged missile perpendicular to the relative wind and normally exerted in an upward direction, opposing the pull of gravity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
(ambitransitive) To raise or rise.
The fog eventually lifted, leaving the streets clear.
You never lift a finger to help me!
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
(programming) To transform (a function) into a corresponding function in a different context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The act of transporting someone in a vehicle; a ride; a trip.
He gave me a lift to the bus station.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Mechanical device for vertically transporting goods or people between floors in a building.
Take the lift to the fourth floor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
(measurement) The difference in elevation between the upper pool and lower pool of a waterway, separated by lock.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Permanent construction with a built-in platform that is lifted vertically.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The amount or weight to be lifted.
What's the maximum lift of this crane?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
(nautical) A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below, and used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
(horology) That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The space or distance through which anything is lifted; as, a long lift.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below; - used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
A brightening of the spirits; encouragement; as, the campaign workers got a lift from the President's endorsement.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support or holding in the higher place; - said of material things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair or a burden.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; - often with up.
The Roman virtues lift up mortal man.
Lest, being lifted up with pride.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle.
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
Strained by lifting at a weight too heavy.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
To rise; to become or appear raised or elevated; as, the fog lifts; the land lifts to a ship approaching it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The component of the aerodynamic forces acting on an airfoil that opposes gravity
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The event of something being raised upward;
An elevation of the temperature in the afternoon
A raising of the land resulting from volcanic activity
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
A device worn in a shoe or boot to make the wearer look taller or to correct a shortened leg
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from your face; an incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is excised;
Some actresses have more than one face lift
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Transportation of people or goods by air (especially when other means of access are unavailable)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
The act of raising something;
He responded with a lift of his eyebrow
Fireman learn several different raises for getting ladders up
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Take hold of something and move it to a different location;
Lift the box onto the table
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Move upward;
The fog lifted
The smoke arose from the forest fire
The mist uprose from the meadows
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help;
Hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Take without referencing from someone else's writing or speech; of intellectual property
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Fly people or goods to or from places not accessible by other means;
Food is airlifted into Bosnia
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
Remove from a surface;
The detective carefully lifted some fingerprints from the table
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lift
A platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different levels.
She took the lift to the tenth floor.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Lift
The act of raising or elevating something.
With a lift of his hand, he signaled for silence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Lift
A free ride in another person's vehicle.
He was kind enough to give me a lift to the station.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
FAQs
Is "Elevator" used in British English?
It's understood but less common than "Lift."
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
Are "Lift" and "Elevator" the same?
Yes, they refer to the same device but are used in different forms of English.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Does "Lift" have meanings beyond the vertical transport device?
Yes, it can also mean raising something or someone physically or improving mood.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Is "Lift" used in American English?
It's understood but less common than "Elevator."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Do "Lift" and "Elevator" function differently?
No, they function the same but are different terms for the same concept.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 17, 2023
Can "Lift" also mean a ride in a car?
Yes, in British English, a "lift" can mean a free ride.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Can "Elevator" refer to a type of shoe?
Yes, "elevator shoes" have thickened sections of the insoles to make the wearer appear taller.
Sara Rehman
Nov 17, 2023
Are there places where both "Lift" and "Elevator" are used interchangeably?
In global or multicultural contexts, both terms may be understood and used.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Is an "Elevator" only found in buildings?
Primarily, but the term extends to other lifting devices.
Harlon Moss
Nov 17, 2023
Can "Lift" refer to an emotional state?
Yes, as in feeling uplifted or happier.
Harlon Moss
Nov 17, 2023
Is "airlift" related to "Lift"?
Yes, it's a system of transporting people/goods by aircraft, especially in an emergency.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
What's a "ski lift"?
It's a mechanism for transporting skiers up a hill, unrelated to "elevator."
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
Is there a "Lift" or "Elevator" in aircraft terminology?
"Elevator" refers to a control surface on an aircraft's tailplane.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
What does "elevator music" refer to?
It's a common term for the bland, background music often played in elevators.
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
What's an "elevator pitch"?
It's a brief, persuasive speech to spark interest in an idea, typically lasting no longer than a short elevator ride.
Sara Rehman
Nov 17, 2023
Are "elevator" and "escalator" the same?
No, an escalator is a moving staircase.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
