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

Both sculptures were propped up by a visible armature of steel scaffolding and sandbags. —Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

The pope, at this very moment, is having the fallen part of the Colosseum rebuilt; half a dozen mason’s apprentices, without any scaffolding, are righting the colossus on whose shoulders a nation, transformed into slave laborers, perished. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

To emphasize the theme, Snipes tapped parkour athletes Travis Nguyen, Chloe Reynolds and Ramcis Valdez for a campaign which sees the trio scaling scaffolding and high rises in the high-visibility sneakers. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026

The next chapter of my life will be exploring how to create the scaffolding that helps people stand as a community. —Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 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