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 On the scene of an apartment fire in the Cass Corridor, Snowdon captured firefighters on a ladder pulling an unconscious woman out of the blaze. Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024 Mori eventually took these encounters as a sign to quit her job and pursue her first love, moving to New York to ascend the proverbial ladder by interning and assisting stylists. Alyson Zetta Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Luckily, a solid walnut library ladder rests against the merchandising cabinet for staff to retrieve them. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 And after three decades as a Black woman climbing the ladder in the former capital of the Confederacy, Lucas felt she had been shut out of the dealmaking process. Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Both are political journeymen who have patiently climbed the political ladder rung-by-rung. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 From there, Robey began working his way up the corporate ladder, beginning at the Gaithersburg location. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 Even at the highest end of the income ladder, growing a property portfolio is a key concern among those born between 1981 and 1996. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 Older generations love talking about how their youngest workers lack a strong work ethic or show impatience in climbing the corporate ladder. Sho Dewan, Forbes, 27 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 29 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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