ladder

noun

lad·​der ˈla-dər How to pronounce ladder (audio)
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 adjective

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 Smoak Craft Barbecue has been slowly climbing the culinary ladder in the Kansas City area for a few years now. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Dramatic video showed Carden being lowered to the semi truck from a ladder in order to lift the female driver to safety. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 2 Mar. 2024 After all, he’s moved quickly up the corporate ladder. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Wilson improves in the ICU, then worsens When Wilson entered the ICU on Jan. 27, 2022, following his fall from the ladder, his spleen was bleeding and had a laceration, the complaint says. Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 According to the federal complaint, the employees ascended a ladder to the roof and within 20 to 30 minutes of one of the men fell 30 feet off the roof. Steve Lieberman, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 With fewer senior-level executives, workers have a better chance of quickly climbing the corporate ladder. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 As these conservative hinterland Turks began to enter the middle class and climb up the ladder of political power, the European identity that Ataturk grafted onto the nation became thinner with each passing decade, eventually falling away. Soner Cagaptay, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024 Neighbors reportedly attempted rescue efforts and placed an extension ladder to the upstairs bedroom of the duplex structure. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ladder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ladder was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ladder

Cite this Entry

“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladder. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ladder

noun
lad·​der ˈlad-ər How to pronounce ladder (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ladder

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