ladder

noun

lad·​der ˈla-dər 

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

ˈla-dər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms of ladder

• hierarchy
• ranking
• scale

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

If a roofer falls from a ladder and dies, will anyone in sunny San Diego notice? —Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Everything is framed by the set’s colossal, shadowy industrial space, dense with ladders and catwalks—the better for vampires to lurk. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026

Lush, dark wood shelving and the rolling library ladder of every bookish person's dreams complete the fantasy. —Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026

Holding all else equal, someone who had obesity as a child can expect to fall about 20 percentile points down on the income ladder compared to their parents, Jin said. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing ladder

• accommodation ladder
• aerial ladder
• career ladder
• corporate ladder
• fish ladder
• hook and ladder truck
• Jacob's ladder
• ladder-back
• ladder truck
• rope ladder

Rhymes for ladder

• adder
• bladder
• madder
• sadder
• gallbladder
• stepladder

Kids Definition

ladder

noun

lad·​der ˈlad-ər 

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