Ladder meaning

lădər
ladders
See word origin
Frequency:
Anything by means of which a person climbs or rises.
noun
4
2
A fish ladder.
noun
2
3
To run, as a stocking does.
verb
2
3
(chiefly brit.) To have or cause to have a ladder, or run.
verb
1
1
(chiefly brit.) A run as in a stocking.
noun
1
2
Advertisement
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.

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.

noun
0
0
A frame, usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, used for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened rungs: cross strips or rounds acting as steps.
noun
0
0
(figuratively) The hierarchy or ranking system within an organization, e.g. the corporate ladder.
noun
0
0
(chiefly UK) A length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings; a run.
noun
0
0
In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.
noun
0
0
Advertisement
(firefighting) To ascend a building or wall using a ladder.
verb
0
0
(of a knitted garment) To develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread.
verb
0
0
A rising series of steps, stages, or levels.

The ladder of success.

noun
0
1

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
ladder
Plural:
ladders

Origin of ladder

  • Middle English from Old English hlǣder klei- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old English hlǣder, from Proto-Germanic *hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian [script?] (kletram) 'stretcher'), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (“to lean”). More at lean, related to lid.

    From Wiktionary

Ladder Sentence Examples

  • Some people get to the top of the ladder, only to find that it's leaning against the wrong wall?

  • I'd better get a screwdriver and tighten that ladder before you fall and break your neck.

  • Using it as a ladder, she climbed on the counter, stretching from her knees to reach the top shelf.

  • A ladder lowered, and Brady vaulted onto it, followed by Dan.

More sentences

Related articles

Also Mentioned In

Words near ladder in the Dictionary