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ladder

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The definition of a ladder is something made of two parallel side pieces with evenly spaced cross bars used for climbing, or a rising increase in levels.

(noun)

An example of a ladder is what someone would use to climb to the ground from a fire escape on the second floor.
An example of a ladder is a person starting in an entry level position and climbing their way up to an executive position.

See ladder in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a framework consisting of two parallel sidepieces connected by a series of rungs or crosspieces on which a person steps in climbing up or down
2. Naut. any staircase or vertical set of steps
anything by means of which a person climbs or rises
a rising series of steps, stages, or levels: the ladder of success
Chiefly Brit. a run as in a stocking

Origin: ME < OE hlæder, akin to Ger leiter < IE base *lei-, to incline, lean

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Chiefly Brit. to have or cause to have a ladder, or run

See ladder in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An often portable structure consisting of two long sides crossed by parallel rungs, used to climb up and down.
b. Something that resembles this device, especially a run in a stocking.
a. A means of ascent and descent: ascending the social ladder.
b. A series of ranked stages or levels: high on the executive ladder.