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

• 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

Unless the first-year club maintains the surprising cohesion that took it up the 15-team ladder, bigger successes won’t be coming. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025

Between life, family and self-discovery, career paths are more likely to resemble a climbing wall than a ladder. —Melissa Dimuro, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

As her family played nearby under a refreshing spray from a fire truck ladder, Sciackitano reflected on what the day meant to her. —Kaitlin Mikrut, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025

Jannik Sinner was just starting his climb up the tennis ladder; Novak Djokovic was about to launch his decisive overtake of the greats who came before him. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 7 July 2025

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