scaling ladder

American

noun

a ladder for climbing high walls.

scaling ladder British

noun

a ladder used to climb high walls, esp one used formerly to enter a besieged town, fortress, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of scaling ladder

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On Wednesday, the investigators returned with 1,000 police officers armed with scaling ladders, warning Yoon's guards that if they resisted they would be arrested for obstructing justice.

From Salon

The Rangers had to utilize military tactics and weapons to assault and clear portions of a mock city, scaling ladders and using ropes to enter and exit buildings as various targets peaked through windows.

From Fox News

Last month, dozens were arrested for scaling ladders and breaking into the building.

From Reuters

In case of a siege I can cut off water from the trenches and make pontoons and scaling ladders and other similar contrivances.

From Forbes

As soon as he heard the firing Rupert hastened to draw up his own men, but the scaling ladders were not ready.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023