noun
escalation
ehs-kuh-LAY-shuhn
noun
1
A rapid increase in the size, intensity, or seriousness of something.
"The escalation of violence alarmed the entire region."
2
The act of passing a problem to someone with greater authority to resolve it.
"After the second complaint, the case triggered an automatic escalation to management."
How to Use Escalation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rise in how serious, intense, or urgent something has become.
Common pairings
escalation of tensions
risk of escalation
de-escalation
Word Forms
escalations plural
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The _____ of violence alarmed the entire region.
Etymology
From "escalate" plus the noun-forming suffix -ion.