ladder

noun

lad·​der ˈla-dər 

often attributive

1

: a structure for climbing up or down that consists essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by crosspieces on which one may step

2

: something that resembles or suggests a ladder in form or use

especially : run sense 11a

3

: a series of usually ascending steps or stages : scale

climbing up the corporate ladder

ladderlike

ˈla-dər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• graduation
• hierarchy
• ordering
• ranking
• scale

Examples of ladder in a Sentence

He was moving up the corporate ladder.

She worked her way up from the lowest rung on the economic ladder.

She got a ladder in her stocking.

Recent Examples on the Web

When Benny and Jack climb down a ladder and hide within a sewer tunnel, Oz struggles to keep up, growing angry and humiliated. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The wall works Some videos on YouTube show one man cutting through a section of border wall and another man climbing over the wall with a long ladder. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

Why Wall Mopping Works Using a mop to clean walls helps to cover a larger surface area and eliminates the need for a ladder in most situations. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024

Read Next: How to Insult Your Western Hunting Guide To top off our close call, Lewis Howes fell from a 15-foot ladder at home the following day and broke a leg. —Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hlǣder; akin to Old High German leitara ladder, Old English hlinian to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ladder

• accommodation ladder
• aerial ladder
• career ladder
• corporate ladder
• fish ladder
• hook and ladder truck
• Jacob's ladder
• ladder-back
• ladder truck
• rope ladder

Kids Definition

ladder

noun

lad·​der ˈlad-ər 

1

: a structure for climbing that consists of two long pieces (as of wood, rope, or metal) joined at short distances by crosspieces on which one may step

2

: something that suggests a ladder in form or use

3

: a series of steps or stages : scale

the corporate ladder