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

• graduation
• hierarchy
• ordering
• 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 a world where climbing the corporate ladder often follows a predictable script, Peter Jelkeby stands out as a true exception. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2023

The union argues that the arrangements leave many employees with steeper climbs up the wage-and-benefits ladder than some of their colleagues. Drew Barrymore reverses course on talk show Drew Barrymore. —Lara Horwitz, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023

Advertisement ‘The Other Black Girl’ — Wednesday on Hulu Nella is a Black editorial assistant at a New York publishing house who is struggling to work her way up the corporate ladder and retain her dignity along the way. —Nina Metz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023

Rivaldo Fairweather climbs the ladder to give Auburn the lead over Cal in the 4th quarter. —Ainslie Lee | [e-mail], al, 10 Sep. 2023

Assistance, Watt Road: Police and EMS arrived at a home 5:15 p.m. Aug. 27 where a man, 72, fell from a 20-foot ladder. —Joan Rusek, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2023

Choose a contrasting finish that stands out against the walls, or match the ladder to shelving for a seamless look. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023

The ladder would also come in extra handy on the Red River, where Banaszak arrowed the new state record. —Outdoor Life, 7 Sep. 2023

And that’s how this young American came to spend a few months working the lower rungs of the ladder at one of the world’s most famous restaurants, L’Arpège. —Lawrence Specker | [e-mail], al, 7 Sep. 2023

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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

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

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

See More

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