ladder

American  

[lad-er] / ˈlæd ər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

ladder Idioms  

1. see bottom of the ladder.

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Other Word Forms

• ladderless adjective
• ladderlike adjective
• laddery adjective

Etymology

Origin of ladder

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”; see also lean ¹

Explanation

If your ball lands on the roof, grab a ladder and climb up and get it. A ladder has steps you use to reach up high. If you climb the corporate ladder, you’re moving up in the business world. Some ladders are just a few feet tall, and others are taller than a house. Still others are invisible –- any time you move up in your career as a banker or NFL football player, you climb the ladder. In British English, a ladder is a run in stockings, which is funny because it usually looks like one. The superstition that it's bad luck to walk under an open ladder dates from the eighteenth century.

Example Sentences

This theory, codified in Cold War deterrence doctrine, held that matching force with roughly equal force would control the so-called escalation ladder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said it was "a really important step" on the ladder of helping young people get some experience in the workplace.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The emergence of a mass upper middle class has had negative consequences for those lower down the income ladder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

"It's all really sad and frustrating and bless his cotton socks, he is just beside himself at the minute, like just desperately wants to get on the ladder."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Old Timothy grunted enigmatically and propped the ladder in the hall.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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