ski lift: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal in general contexts; technical in engineering/tourism contexts.
Quick answer
What does “ski lift” mean?
A mechanical device, typically consisting of a series of chairs or a cable with T-bars, that transports skiers up a slope.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mechanical device, typically consisting of a series of chairs or a cable with T-bars, that transports skiers up a slope.
Any system or mechanism designed to carry people uphill for winter sports; can metaphorically refer to any system that provides upward assistance or support.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use 'ski lift'. In specific types, 'chairlift' is common in both, while 'T-bar' or 'drag lift' are also used.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Evokes leisure, winter sports, and mountain resorts.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to the shared global context of skiing.
Grammar
How to Use “ski lift” in a Sentence
[Subject] + take/ride/use + the ski liftThe ski lift + carries/transports/takes + [skiers] + up + [the mountain]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ski lift” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as an adjective. Use attributive noun: 'ski lift queue', 'ski lift pass'.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adjective. Use attributive noun: 'ski lift line', 'ski lift ticket'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In tourism and resort management: 'Investing in new ski lift infrastructure increased visitor capacity by 30%.'
Academic
In geography or sports science: 'The study analysed the environmental impact of ski lift construction on alpine flora.'
Everyday
In conversation: 'The queue for the ski lift was really long this morning.'
Technical
In engineering: 'The ski lift's drive mechanism requires quarterly load testing.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ski lift”
- Using 'ski lift' as a verb (e.g., 'We ski lifted to the top' – incorrect). Correct: 'We took the ski lift'.
- Misspelling as one word: 'skilift' is less common; the standard is two words: 'ski lift'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words: 'ski lift'. The hyphenated form 'ski-lift' is less common but acceptable. The one-word form 'skilift' is rare.
Both are types of ski lifts. A chairlift has seats that hang from a cable. A T-bar is a surface lift where skiers stand on their skis and are pulled up by a T-shaped bar they hold behind them.
No, 'ski lift' is only a noun. To describe the action, you use phrases like 'take the ski lift', 'ride the ski lift', or 'go up on the ski lift'.
Yes, in a broad sense. A gondola is an enclosed cabin that carries passengers, often used at ski resorts. It is a specific type of cable transport, distinct from open chairlifts or surface lifts like T-bars.
A mechanical device, typically consisting of a series of chairs or a cable with T-bars, that transports skiers up a slope.
Ski lift is usually neutral to informal in general contexts; technical in engineering/tourism contexts. in register.
Ski lift: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskiː ˌlɪft/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈski ˌlɪft/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A lift (meaning a ride or assistance, but not specific to skiing).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SKIers need a LIFT to get up the hill. SKI + LIFT = the thing that lifts skiers.
Conceptual Metaphor
UP IS GOOD / PROGRESS. The ski lift enables the desirable activity (skiing down), thus it is a facilitator of pleasure/achievement.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a ski lift?