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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of scaffolding

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

Example Sentences

Is the scaffolding of college football still a shambolic mess?

From The Wall Street Journal

Enormous business investment in the data centers and other scaffolding needed for the artificial intelligence race also helps explain the economy’s growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

In one desert station Systra showed reporters, workers on scaffolding have raised an imposing geometric ceiling over six open-air tracks.

From Barron's

But ultimately, that’s just scaffolding to tell a beautiful, improvised story.”

From Los Angeles Times

They have also ordered the removal of scaffolding mesh used in all building renovations across the city.

From BBC

Related Words

• scaffold
• stage