ladder

noun

lad·​der ˈla-dər How to pronounce ladder (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The evolutionary ladder is meant to be climbed one rung at a time with an organism shedding some traits and gaining others on the way up. New Atlas, 29 June 2025 Contribution Across Life’s Stages Many organizations still view career paths as a ladder, encouraging employees to climb until they are pushed out or the ladder is inconveniently snatched away. Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Just make sure to plan this cleaning project on a dry day and work from the ground, not the ladder, to avoid putting yourself at risk of injury. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025 All of those results reflect the new political geometry of health care: Since the passage of the ACA, federal health care programs have extended their reach up the income ladder even as Trump’s political strength among working-class voters has extended the GOP’s grasp down the income ladder. Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ladder

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ladder was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladder. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ladder

noun
lad·​der ˈlad-ər How to pronounce ladder (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ladder

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