moving sidewalk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “moving sidewalk” mean?
A slow, motorized conveyor belt for pedestrians, typically installed in large public transport hubs or shopping centres.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slow, motorized conveyor belt for pedestrians, typically installed in large public transport hubs or shopping centres.
A flat, continuously moving surface that transports people horizontally over short to medium distances, designed to ease foot traffic and reduce walking time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, "travelator" or "moving walkway" are significantly more common. "Moving sidewalk" is primarily American English and may not be widely understood in the UK.
Connotations
In AmE: a standard, functional piece of transport infrastructure. In BrE: the term "moving sidewalk" can sound like a direct, perhaps overly literal Americanism.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE, especially in airport/travel contexts. Low frequency in BrE, where "travelator" or "moving walkway" dominate.
Grammar
How to Use “moving sidewalk” in a Sentence
[Location] + has/features + a moving sidewalkTake/use + the moving sidewalk + to/for + [destination]The moving sidewalk + is + [adjective (e.g., out of order, fast)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moving sidewalk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new terminal will feature a state-of-the-art moving walkway.
American English
- The concourse is being retrofitted to move passengers via a moving sidewalk.
adverb
British English
- People were transported travelator-wards.
American English
- The corridor extends moving-sidewalk-like for 300 feet.
adjective
British English
- The moving-walkway system is currently undergoing maintenance.
American English
- Please hold the handrail on the moving sidewalk section.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in proposals or descriptions of airport, mall, or exhibition centre infrastructure.
Academic
Appears in urban planning, transport engineering, or ergonomics papers.
Everyday
Used when giving directions in large airports or public buildings, e.g., 'Meet me by the moving sidewalk near Terminal B.'
Technical
Specified in architectural plans and transport facility manuals; parameters include speed, length, and load capacity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “moving sidewalk”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “moving sidewalk”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moving sidewalk”
- Pronouncing 'sidewalk' as /saɪdˈwɔːk/ (incorrect stress). Correct: /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/.
- Using 'moving sidewalk' in UK contexts where it may cause confusion.
- Misspelling as 'moving side-walk' (hyphen is generally not used).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An escalator has steps and moves people vertically or at a steep incline. A moving sidewalk is flat and moves people horizontally or at a very slight incline.
No, you can stand still and be transported. However, you can also walk on it to move even faster.
They are ubiquitous in large international airports, some major train stations, expansive shopping malls, and large exhibition centres.
The universal rule is to stand on the right and walk on the left (in countries with right-hand traffic flow), hold the handrail, and ensure luggage or stroller wheels are placed correctly to avoid jamming.
A slow, motorized conveyor belt for pedestrians, typically installed in large public transport hubs or shopping centres.
Moving sidewalk is usually neutral to formal, technical in register.
Moving sidewalk: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmuːvɪŋ ˈsaɪdwɔːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmuːvɪŋ ˈsaɪdwɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life is not a moving sidewalk (you have to put in the effort).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SIDEWALK that's too tired to let you WALK, so it MOVES for you. MOVING SIDEWALK.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RIVER OF GROUND: The ground itself becomes a flowing entity that carries passive passengers.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in British English for 'moving sidewalk'?