ladder

[lad-er]

noun

1. a structure of wood, metal, or rope, commonly consisting of two sidepieces between which a series of bars or rungs are set at suitable distances, forming a means of climbing up or down.

2. something resembling this.

3. a means of rising, as to eminence.

   the ladder of success.

4. a graded series of stages or levels in status; a hierarchical order of position or rank.

   high on the political ladder.

5. 1. ladder company.

   2. ladder truck.

6. Nautical.,  companionway.

7. Chiefly British.,  a run in a stocking.

verb (used with object)

1. to climb or mount by means of a ladder.

   to ladder a wall.

2. to furnish with a ladder.

   to ladder a water tower.

3. Chiefly British.,  to cause a run in (a stocking).

verb (used without object)

1. Chiefly British.,  to get a run, as in a stocking.

2. to gain in popularity or importance.

   He laddered to the top of his profession.

ladder

/ ˈlædə /

noun

1. a portable framework of wood, metal, rope, etc, in the form of two long parallel members connected by several parallel rungs or steps fixed to them at right angles, for climbing up or down

2. any hierarchy conceived of as having a series of ascending stages, levels, etc

   the social ladder

3. 1. anything resembling a ladder

   2. ( as modifier )

      ladder stitch

4. Also called: run. a line of connected stitches that have come undone in knitted material, esp stockings

5. See ladder tournament

verb

1. to cause a line of interconnected stitches in (stockings, etc) to undo, as by snagging, or (of a stocking) to come undone in this way

Other Word Forms

• ladderless adjective
• ladderlike adjective
• laddery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ladder¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English ladder(e), Old English hlǣd(d)er; cognate with German Leiter, Dutch leer (also ladder, from Frisian); akin to Gothic hleithra “tent, hut”; originally, “something that slopes or leans”; lean ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ladder¹

Old English hlǣdder; related to Old High German leitara

Idioms and Phrases

see bottom of the ladder.

Example Sentences

Two large turntable ladders were being used to tackle the fire from a height.

From BBC

Taccone said that he borrowed ladders, including one that his neighbor described as “bad.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ending the series by showing her opening the hatch, pulling down the ladder and climbing up lets us know she’s found peace.

From Salon

Meanwhile, videos posted on social media show people climbing lampposts with a ladder to cut down flags which had been put up in Maryhill, Glasgow.

From BBC

"There's nowhere for parents to easily access this slide. There's a tiny ladder on the side, which I wouldn't get up personally," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• extent 
• proportion 
• range 
• rate 
• ratio 
• scope 
• system