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
Every disenfranchised group in this country has climbed the social and economic ladder in two ways—by getting better educated and/or by starting their own businesses.
—
Brian Hamilton, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024
Augusto climbs a ladder up the steep wall of the channel to reach his makeshift shelter, another example of the extreme measures taken by many Angelenos struggling to find a place to live in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
When steelhead runs reached an all-time low in 2017, with just 822 fish climbing the ladder at the falls in Oregon City, conservationists and biologists were worried that the species could become extinct from the Upper Willamette Basin altogether.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024
Also a credited producer on the film, Zendaya, a two-time Emmy victor, continues to swiftly ascend Hollywood’s ladder.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
North Carolinians are ready for a governor who will be focused on solutions to their problems -- not another career politician climbing the ladder from office to office.
—Will Steakin, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Contestants, often displaying dubious performance skills, were rated by a panel of celebrity judges drawn from the rung of the showbiz ladder that included Arte Johnson, Jamie Farr, and Rip Taylor.
—Tanner Stransky, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
The mix of open and closed shelving creates both a stylish and functional space
Perhaps the most surprising feature of her pantry is the rolling ladder, which features a brass rail.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
The bulk of India’s growth depends on those at the top of the income ladder, including a coterie of huge and tightly controlled businesses.
—Alex Travelli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Brian Hamilton, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024
Augusto climbs a ladder up the steep wall of the channel to reach his makeshift shelter, another example of the extreme measures taken by many Angelenos struggling to find a place to live in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
When steelhead runs reached an all-time low in 2017, with just 822 fish climbing the ladder at the falls in Oregon City, conservationists and biologists were worried that the species could become extinct from the Upper Willamette Basin altogether.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024
Also a credited producer on the film, Zendaya, a two-time Emmy victor, continues to swiftly ascend Hollywood’s ladder.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
North Carolinians are ready for a governor who will be focused on solutions to their problems -- not another career politician climbing the ladder from office to office.
—Will Steakin, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Contestants, often displaying dubious performance skills, were rated by a panel of celebrity judges drawn from the rung of the showbiz ladder that included Arte Johnson, Jamie Farr, and Rip Taylor.
—Tanner Stransky, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
The mix of open and closed shelving creates both a stylish and functional space
Perhaps the most surprising feature of her pantry is the rolling ladder, which features a brass rail.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
The bulk of India’s growth depends on those at the top of the income ladder, including a coterie of huge and tightly controlled businesses.
—Alex Travelli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near ladder
Cite this Entry
“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladder. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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