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

Regenerative scaffolds infused with growth factors to rebuild bone and gum tissue. —Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

At its peak, the system required four semis, leapfrogging scaffolds, and $100,000 in monthly transport costs. —Noah Eckstein, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025

Down the road, it may be used to create more practical items like tissue engineering scaffolds, joints and hinges. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 June 2025

Ars Video One of the first applications was creating tissue scaffolds, which are structures that support cell growth. —ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025

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