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

In front of thousands of fans, a lit-up, smoke- and firework-spewing flying saucer known as the Mothership—a 1,500-pound aluminum-and-glass craft featuring a 241-pound landing ladder—descended onto the stage and out popped Clinton. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2026

Connecting with his roots Lindblad’s rise up the motorsports ladder has been nothing short of rapid. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Bishop Moore has climbed the state ranking ladder and is the top seed in 4A with by far the strongest strength of schedule for that class. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Anger at a generation that let the ladder up collapse behind it, whether or not that was true. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 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