scaffold

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noun scaf·fold \ ˈska-fəld also -ˌfōld \

Definition of scaffold

1 a :a temporary or movable platform for workers (such as bricklayers, painters, or miners) to stand or sit on when working at a height above the floor or ground

b :a platform on which a criminal is executed (as by hanging or beheading)

c :a platform at a height above ground or floor level

2 :a supporting framework

See scaffold defined for English-language learners

See scaffold defined for kids

Examples of scaffold in a Sentence

The condemned man was led to the scaffold.

Recent Examples of scaffold from the Web

Eighty days after implantation, there was a 50-fold cellular expansion along the SEED’s scaffold.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Human liver cells seeded in mouse expands 50-fold to functional organoid," 22 July 2017
Scenic designer Brian Sidney Bembridge uses a dramatic, rolling ring of scaffolds and a radiant backdrop.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "Bet you don't know this Three Musketeers story," 16 July 2017
Portland Fire & Rescue crews arrived on the scene shortly after 9 a.m., set up a rope-and-pulley system on the roof, and lowered firefighters to the scaffold, the Fire & Rescue said.

— douglas perry, OregonLive.com, "Portland Fire rescues 2 workers left hanging on side of downtown Portland skyscraper," 15 July 2017
One worker was knocked off a scaffold next to the alkylation unit and left dangling over the fire, according to two sources.

— christina austin, Fortune, "Exxon Fined Over Explosion That Injured Workers," 13 July 2017
Buy Photo A 27-year-old man was reported in critical condition after being shocked by an electrical wire, then falling off a three-story scaffold in the city’s Kensington section on Wednesday morning, a Fire Department spokesman said.

— julie shaw, Philly.com, "Man critical after being shocked, falling off Kensington scaffold," 12 July 2017
In 1998, the company was fined $250,000 after a scaffold failed in Maine, throwing a communications tower worker to the ground, 200 feet below.

— gordon r. friedman, OregonLive.com, "Oregon hired a company to paint the Ross Island Bridge without knowing its safety record. Then a worker fell.," 6 July 2017
Tzompantli were ceremonial wooden scaffolds used in many ancient cultures of the Americas to display the skulls of human sacrifices.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Aztec tower of skulls turns out to be no myth," 3 July 2017
Built on what was described by the Fontana Herald News as the world’s longest scaffold, the pizza was made from 8,000 pounds of dough, 5,600 pounds of sauce and 3,600 pounds of cheese.

— linda zavoral, The Mercury News, "World’s longest pizza: U.S. team breaks Italy’s record," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scaffold.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scaffold

Middle English, from Anglo-French scaffald, alteration of Old French eschaafauz, escafaut, alteration of chaafaut, from Vulgar Latin *catafalicum — more at catafalque

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

SCAFFOLD Defined for English Language Learners

scaffold

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noun

Definition of scaffold for English Language Learners

: a temporary or movable platform or structure on which a person stands or sits while working high above the floor or ground
: a platform or structure on which criminals are killed by being hanged or beheaded

SCAFFOLD Defined for Kids

scaffold

play

noun scaf·fold \ ˈska-fəld \

Definition of scaffold for Students

1 :a raised platform built as a support for workers and their tools and materials

2 :a platform on which executions take place

Learn More about scaffold

See words that rhyme with scaffold Spanish Central: Translation of scaffold Nglish: Translation of scaffold for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scaffold for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scaffold

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scaffold

Definition of scaffold

Examples of scaffold in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of scaffold

Other Building Terms

SCAFFOLD Defined for English Language Learners

scaffold

Definition of scaffold for English Language Learners

SCAFFOLD Defined for Kids

scaffold

Definition of scaffold for Students

Learn More about scaffold

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scaffold

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SCAFFOLD Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of scaffold for English Language Learners

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scaffold

Definition of scaffold for Students

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