scaffolding

noun

scaf·​fold·​ing ˈska-fəl-diŋ 

-ˌfōl-

1

: a system of scaffolds

… photographers were allowed, three at a time, to ascend the elaborate scaffolding …

—Eric Scigliano

also : material for scaffolds

2

: a support system or structure likened to a system of scaffolds

… in his readings and talks with authors, he is seeking theoretical scaffolding for his actions …

—John F. Dickerson

especially, education : a system or framework of support provided by an instructor to help a student reach the next level of learning

By identifying the next skills just above the child's current skill level, then providing scaffolding (or assistance) in a way that helps the child display the identified skills accurately, and then fading out the need for scaffolding, you can help a child to learn new things and become more independent.

—Heather Gilmore

Teachers should look for tools that help them easily adjust instructional scaffolding from assignment to assignment and from student to student—allowing them to meet students where they are as they learn to write for authentic audiences.

—Troy Hicks

Examples of scaffolding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The twist that Evan is Richard Warren’s descendant is the first and most useful scaffolding for Widow’s Bay being able to dodge a season-two slump. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026

The center’s press office did not answer the Post’s questions about a schedule for the removal of the tarp and scaffolding. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026

The social scaffolding that made friendship effortless in school and college simply doesn’t exist anymore, and most of us were never taught how to build it from scratch. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026

Thousands of New Yorkers clad in orange and blue flooded the streets to celebrate the win, turning the city into a giant block party, scaling street signs and scaffolding. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

scaffolding

noun

scaf·​fold·​ing ˈskaf-əl-diŋ 

-ˌōl-

1

: a system of scaffolds

2

: materials for scaffolds