An elevator is a vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structure.
An elevator (or lift in British English) is a vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors (levels, decks) of a building, vessel or other structure. Elevators are generally powered by electric motors that either drive traction cables or counterweight systems like a hoist, or pump hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston like a jack.Languages other than English may have loanwords based on either elevator (e.g., Korean & Japanese) or lift (e.g., Russian & Cantonese).
Because of wheelchair access laws, elevators are often a legal requirement in new multi-storey buildings, especially where wheelchair ramps would be impractical.
