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chairlift

chairlift

5 3.4
A moving cable with chairs that carries people up a mountain
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃɛrˌlɪft/
translation icon : teleférico
  • After a long day on the trails, we relaxed as the chairlift took us back to the lodge.
  • chairlift ride
  • quad chairlift
  • chairlift ski

And he said to me one day going up on the chairlift, he said, Robin, us ski instructors aren't rich, but we have rich lives.

Examples

  • They've got log flumes, roller coasters, and a chairlift that actually works.

  • As you take the chairlift 14,000 feet to the top of the mountain, you'll be amazed at the charming North American town below you.

    Blog text (3)
  • We are currently on the highest chairlift in the whole country.

  • Or I can try to get the chairlift working.

  • The service lift is currently being repaired, but we have the chairlift, which will be much easier.

  • I am lazy; I don't do much hiking and love chairlifts.

    Blog text (8)
  • The chairlifts have been improved, giving visitors and residents better access to Palmyra Peak, which is home to some hard-to-conquer and very steep runs.

    Blog text (3)
  • On Tuesday, our all-day Alps of Utah tour will take us to Park City, a trip on the historic Heber Valley Railroad, lunch and a chairlift ride at Sundance Mountain Resort, and a photo stop at Bridal Veil Falls.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The chairlift gently carried us up the mountainside, offering breathtaking views of the valley below.

  • We waited in line for the chairlift, excited to ski down the freshly powdered slopes.

Synonyms

lift
vschairlift
  • UK
123 1.9

A machine that carries people or goods between floors

refers specifically to seated mountain transport on suspended seats rather than general vertical movement
ski lift
vschairlift
  • UK
4 2.7

A machine with seats on a moving cable that carries skiers up a slope

is the specific form using suspended seats on an overhead cable
chair lift
vschairlift
  • UK
3 3.4

Seats hanging from a moving overhead cable that carry people up a mountain

is identical in meaning but differs only in phrasing or spelling
rope tow
vschairlift
  • Jargon
1 5.4

A ski lift with a moving rope that skiers hold onto to be pulled uphill

moves people on suspended seats attached to an overhead cable rather than a held rope
ski tow
vschairlift
  • UK
3.6

A machine with a moving rope that pulls skiers up a slope

uses suspended seating above ground instead of towing riders along the surface
surface lift
vschairlift
  • Specialized
5.1

A machine that pulls skiers up a slope while they stay on the ground

involves suspended seating above ground rather than surface pulling
Alpine lift
vschairlift
5.5

A moving bar on a slope that pulls people up while they keep their skis or snowboard on

relies on suspended seats above the slope rather than surface bars to move riders

How Fast

cable car
11 3.5
ski lift
  • UK
4 2.7
chairlift
5 3.4
T-bar
1 7.7
rope tow
  • Jargon
1 5.4

Surface Forms

chairlift singular
chairlifts plural

Morphology

chairlift = chair + lift (transparent) = chair + lift

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'chair' and 'lift'; learners who know both words can infer a lift that uses chairs.

Etymology

Chairlift comes from the English words chair and lift, where chair means 'seat' and lift means 'to raise'. So a chairlift is literally a 'seat that lifts' people, which is why it names the ski machine that carries riders up the mountain.