scaffolding

noun

scaf·​fold·​ing ˈska-fəl-diŋ 

-ˌfōl-

1

: a system of scaffolds

… photographers were allowed, three at a time, to ascend the elaborate scaffolding …

—Eric Scigliano

also : material for scaffolds

2

: a support system or structure likened to a system of scaffolds

… in his readings and talks with authors, he is seeking theoretical scaffolding for his actions …

—John F. Dickerson

especially, education : a system or framework of support provided by an instructor to help a student reach the next level of learning

By identifying the next skills just above the child's current skill level, then providing scaffolding (or assistance) in a way that helps the child display the identified skills accurately, and then fading out the need for scaffolding, you can help a child to learn new things and become more independent.

—Heather Gilmore

Teachers should look for tools that help them easily adjust instructional scaffolding from assignment to assignment and from student to student—allowing them to meet students where they are as they learn to write for authentic audiences.

—Troy Hicks

Examples of scaffolding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A couple has been injured at an air-guitar concert (yes, seriously) where the air-guitar hero climbed the scaffolding during a performance then fell onto his girlfriend in the crowd. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

McNeal review: Robert Downey Jr. makes his Broadway debut in vexing A.I. play Takeshi Kata’s scaffolding set and Karyn D. Lawrence’s lighting design add to the show's bombardment of the senses, leaving audiences never quite sure where to look or focus their attention. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Both workers were wearing safety harnesses when the scaffolding malfunctioned, buying first responders time to get them from above. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024

There was a dance in the scaffolding around Notre Dame. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

scaffolding

noun

scaf·​fold·​ing ˈskaf-əl-diŋ 

-ˌōl-

1

: a system of scaffolds

2

: materials for scaffolds