ramp

A ramp is a structure that moves things or people from one level to another. Ramps are commonly found in buildings, on highways, and for public facilities in which people move up and down.

• A mechanic might use ramps to lift a car off the ground.
• When you drive to the downtown of a city, you park your car in a parking ramp.
• A person in a wheelchair can’t use a stairway, so he or she goes up a ramp in order to enter a building.
• To enter or exit a highway, use an on-ramp or an off-ramp.

• A ramp is used when boarding an airplane.
• People who like to skateboard do tricks on ramps.

The word "ramp" can also be used as part of a verb phrase: ramp up. To ramp up something is to increase it.

• Our company is ramping up production.
• They need to ramp up their hiring of new employees in time for the holidays.
• The military ramped up its readiness in anticipation of an attack.

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October 17, 2015