chairlift: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to neutral. More technical/specific in sports & tourism contexts.
Quick answer
What does “chairlift” mean?
A system of transport consisting of a series of chairs suspended from a moving cable, typically used at ski resorts to carry skiers up a slope.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of transport consisting of a series of chairs suspended from a moving cable, typically used at ski resorts to carry skiers up a slope.
Any similar system of chairs on a cable used to transport people up or down steep slopes, mountains, or cliffs for tourism or sightseeing, not exclusively for skiing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; concept is identical. Spelling remains consistent.
Connotations
Both strongly associate with skiing/snowboarding. British English may more readily extend the term to summer mountain/tourist attractions.
Frequency
More frequent in US English due to greater number of large ski resorts. In UK, 'ski lift' is a common hypernym.
Grammar
How to Use “chairlift” in a Sentence
take/ride the chairlift (to + location)chairlift + [verb] (e.g., chairlift ascends, operates, stops)chairlift at/from/in + locationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chairlift” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We'll chairlift up to the summit and ski down.
- The resort plans to chairlift visitors to the new viewing platform.
American English
- Let's chairlift to the top and grab a hot chocolate.
- They chairlifted the injured hiker down the mountain.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. Rare to non-existent usage.
American English
- Not applicable. Rare to non-existent usage.
adjective
British English
- The chairlift ride offered stunning vistas.
- We missed the last chairlift service.
American English
- The chairlift line was surprisingly short.
- He works as a chairlift mechanic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In tourism industry reports discussing resort infrastructure investment.
Academic
In geography or sports science papers on mountain transportation.
Everyday
Discussing skiing holidays or mountain visits.
Technical
In engineering contexts describing cable transport systems.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chairlift”
- Using 'chairlift' for enclosed gondolas.
- Misspelling as 'chair lift' (two words). Standard spelling is one word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A chairlift has open chairs seating 2-8 people. A gondola has enclosed cabins.
Yes, many mountain resorts operate chairlifts in summer for hikers and sightseers.
It is standardly written as one word: chairlift.
Keep the safety bar down while riding and follow the loading/unloading instructions carefully.
A system of transport consisting of a series of chairs suspended from a moving cable, typically used at ski resorts to carry skiers up a slope.
Chairlift is usually informal to neutral. more technical/specific in sports & tourism contexts. in register.
Chairlift: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeə.lɪft/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃer.lɪft/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life is not a chairlift. (rare, implying you have to work, not just be carried)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LIFT made of CHAIRs floating up a mountain.
Conceptual Metaphor
ASCENT IS TRANSPORT (via chair); PROGRESS IS UPWARD MOVEMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'chairlift' primarily used for?