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

Explanation

The platforms and supports workers stand on while they're repairing the outside of a building is called scaffolding. Without scaffolding, it would be nearly impossible to reach the highest part of a tall structure. If you've visited a large city (or even a small one), you've definitely seen scaffolding, which sometimes surrounds an entire building. You may have even walked underneath these temporary structures, which are erected to make repairs or construct brand new buildings. Scaffolding is composed of horizontal platforms and sturdy vertical supports, and it's also used to support stagehands as they work in the theater, at outdoor concert venues, and on film sets.

Example Sentences

For decades, gaming subsidized artificial intelligence, forging the careers of today’s AI visionaries and providing the scaffolding for major AI breakthroughs.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

He also said he had a discussion in 2011 with Epstein about scaffolding, which he called "meaningless and inconsequential".

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Because when you strip away the scaffolding, when you set aside the tone and the length and the performance of rigor, what remains is not complicated at all.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

The inferno swept through seven of the estate's eight towers, which were under renovation and wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, netting and foam boards -- materials that may have accelerated the spread of flames.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

As he thought things over, he adjusted the shawl that was wrapped around his shoulders and gazed at the bamboo scaffolding that now surrounded his balcony.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• scaffold
• stage