ladder

American  

[lad-er] / ˈlæd ər /

noun

1. a structure of wood, metal, or rope, commonly consisting of two sidepieces between which a series of bars or rungs are set at suitable distances, forming a means of climbing up or down.

2. something resembling this.

3. a means of rising, as to eminence.

   the ladder of success.

4. a graded series of stages or levels in status; a hierarchical order of position or rank.

   high on the political ladder.

5. 1. ladder company.

   2. ladder truck.

6. Nautical. companionway.

7. Chiefly British. a run in a stocking.

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verb (used with object)

1. to climb or mount by means of a ladder.

   to ladder a wall.

2. to furnish with a ladder.

   to ladder a water tower.

3. Chiefly British. to cause a run in (a stocking).

verb (used without object)

1. Chiefly British. to get a run, as in a stocking.

2. to gain in popularity or importance.

   He laddered to the top of his profession.

ladder British  

/ ˈlædə /

noun

1. a portable framework of wood, metal, rope, etc, in the form of two long parallel members connected by several parallel rungs or steps fixed to them at right angles, for climbing up or down

2. any hierarchy conceived of as having a series of ascending stages, levels, etc

   the social ladder

3. 1. anything resembling a ladder

   2. ( as modifier )

      ladder stitch

4. Also called: run.  a line of connected stitches that have come undone in knitted material, esp stockings

5. See ladder tournament

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verb

1. to cause a line of interconnected stitches in (stockings, etc) to undo, as by snagging, or (of a stocking) to come undone in this way

ladder Idioms  

1. see bottom of the ladder.

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Other Word Forms

• ladderless adjective
• ladderlike adjective
• laddery adjective

Etymology

Origin of ladder

First recorded before 1000; Middle English ladder(e), Old English hlǣd(d)er; cognate with German Leiter, Dutch leer (also ladder, from Frisian); akin to Gothic hleithra “tent, hut”; originally, “something that slopes or leans”; lean ¹

Example Sentences

America’s middle class is becoming wealthier as more families scale the economic ladder into higher earning groups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Follow your own gut by putting your money in a secure vehicle like a Treasury or CD ladder.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

The National Housing Federation and the government said shared ownership remains an important route onto the housing ladder, but acknowledged challenges for some buyers, particularly around rising service charges.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

There is also an exemption for landlords that help tenants to eventually get onto the property ladder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

He moved his paws as if he were climbing a ladder, and forced Jonathan’s body up until Jonathan’s head broke the surface.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

Related Words

• extent
• proportion
• range
• rate
• ratio
• scope
• system