Escalation definition : An increase in the intensity or geographical scope of a war or diplomatic confrontation. For example, during the Korean War, some Americans urged escalation of the war through bombing of the People's Republic of China.. See examples of ESCALATION used in a sentence. In this article, we’ll dive into what escalations mean , explore the types of escalations, and understand their importance. Escalate means to increase or become greater in size, seriousness, or intensity. It can also mean to refer an issue to a higher authority or to rise on an escalator. See pronunciation, usage, and related words. ESCALATION definition : 1. a situation in which something becomes greater or more serious: 2. a situation in which…. Learn more.