scaffolding

American  

[skaf-uhl-ding, -ohl-] / ˈskæf əl dɪŋ, -oʊl- /

noun

1. 1. a system of temporary structures having platforms to support workers and materials during the construction, repair, or decoration of a building.

      The scaffolding on the cathedral is finally coming down, and the workers can move on.

   2. materials for building such structures.

      We sell aluminum scaffolding to clients all over the country.

   3. the act or process of building such structures.

      During the scaffolding of the building complex, a specially designed lift carried all the pieces to their places.

2. Education.

   1. a method of instruction in which the learner is provided with gradually reduced support in the application of a new skill until they can demonstrate it independently: the mastered skill then provides the basis for acquiring the next new skill in a similar way.

      Through careful scaffolding, my students learned to persevere and use a range of strategies to solve math problems.

   2. the preparation or design of learning materials for use with this method.

      This grading approach requires the careful and strategic scaffolding of lesson plans and assignments.

3. anything that forms a support or basis for something else.

   The general framework of subtasks provides a scaffolding for the more complex computational tasks.

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adjective

1. relating to or involving raised platforms or their construction.

   A variety of different scaffolding materials are available for your building project.

   The fair is aimed at reps from companies that regularly hire scaffolding contractors.

2. Education. relating to, involving, or intended for a method of teaching skills by giving the learner gradually reduced support in applying a new skill until they can demonstrate it independently, after which it becomes the basis for learning the next skill.

   Some scaffolding exercises were given to students to strengthen their understanding.

scaffolding British  

/ ˈskæfəldɪŋ /

noun

1. a scaffold or system of scaffolds

2. the building materials used to make scaffolds

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Etymology

Origin of scaffolding

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English skaf(f)aldyng; equivalent to scaffold + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

A swarm of tourists craned their necks to see the instalment of the cross's upper arm, visible amid the scaffolding and workers who put finishing touches from their harnesses.

From Barron's

A union representative told news agency Reuters that scaffolding had been erected in the affected area.

From BBC

When the structure is completed and the scaffolding dismantled, the tower will be blessed on June 10 to coincide with the centenary of the death of Gaudi, whose body lies in the basilica's crypt.

From Barron's

As friends, each is a vital component of the other’s emotional scaffolding, a mechanism that wouldn’t exist if not for a tragedy.

From Salon

"We've got ugly scaffolding surrounding the house, obstructing the entrance way, so it's somewhat of an obstacle for her to get in and out in the wheelchair," said the 74-year-old.

From BBC

Related Words

• scaffold
• stage