scaffold

noun

scaf·​fold ˈska-fəld 

also -ˌfōld

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

Examples of scaffold in a Sentence

The condemned man was led to the scaffold.

Recent Examples on the Web

The narrative, though sparse, is an excellent scaffold for Jenkin. —Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026

After midnight on June 13, workers were still erecting a scaffold needed to remove the lettering. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 June 2026

These will become the tree's scaffold branches. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida and Jamie Hayter Thekla dropped down from the scaffold like a spider during her entrance. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for scaffold

• baffled

Kids Definition

scaffold

noun

scaf·​fold ˈskaf-əld 

also -ˌōld

1

a

: an elevated platform built as a support for workers

b

: a platform on which a criminal is executed

2

: a supporting framework