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
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
The Czech player Jakub Mensik, sitting just around the corner at the same shoot, has also been on a roll; he’s currently ranked 12th, his highest-ever notch on the men’s ladder, and is still riding high on his win over Sinner in Doha a few weeks ago.
—
Corey Seymour, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
There’s no need to scale a dangerous, tall ladder.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
Located on Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha archipelago—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected national marine park reached via a flight from São Paulo—the beach can only be accessed by boat or by dizzying ladders that are built into the surrounding stone cliffs.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
When government and business leaders embraced the idea that this state was strongest when everyone had a chance to climb the ladder of success, despite their skin color, accent, faith or gender identity.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ladder
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Corey Seymour, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
There’s no need to scale a dangerous, tall ladder.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
Located on Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha archipelago—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected national marine park reached via a flight from São Paulo—the beach can only be accessed by boat or by dizzying ladders that are built into the surrounding stone cliffs.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
When government and business leaders embraced the idea that this state was strongest when everyone had a chance to climb the ladder of success, despite their skin color, accent, faith or gender identity.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ladder
Cite this Entry
“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladder. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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