aerial ladder

American

noun

an extensible ladder used for reaching heights, especially from a hook-and-ladder truck.

aerial ladder British

noun

Also called: turntable ladder. a power-operated extending ladder mounted on a fire engine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A swift-water rescue team deployed a helicopter, lowered inflated firehoses and positioned an aerial ladder to allow responders to secure the man and bring him to safety before transporting him to a hospital for evaluation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2026

Atop the aerial ladder of a bright red fire engine, a firefighter wrangles a hose.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

No one was hurt, but several fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were needed to bring the fire under control, which broke out on the last day of term.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2025

The developers have also agreed to provide funding for an aerial ladder truck for the Yucaipa Fire Department, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2024

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent four fire crews along with an aerial ladder platform and a welfare unit.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023