ladder

noun

lad·der ˈla-dər

Synonyms of ladder

often attributive

: a structure for climbing up or down that consists essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by crosspieces on which one may step

: something that resembles or suggests a ladder in form or use

especially : run sense 11a

: a series of usually ascending steps or stages : scale

climbing up the corporate ladder

ladderlike

ˈla-dər-ˌlīk

adjective

Examples of ladder in a Sentence

He was moving up the corporate ladder. She worked her way up from the lowest rung on the economic ladder. She got a ladder in her stocking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Before ascending the ladder at Business Affairs, Capifali did stints at the Department of Environment and the Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Because the existing hole was too small, crews used a saw to cut a larger opening and lowered a ladder inside to give the animals an easy way out. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 That focus on continuity is perhaps unsurprising given that Ternus, at 51, has spent 25 years climbing Apple’s corporate ladder. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Crews widened the opening and placed a ladder inside the tank, allowing the bears to climb out. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ladder

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hlǣder; akin to Old High German leitara ladder, Old English hlinian to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of ladder was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

ladanum

ladder

ladder-back

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladder. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ladder

noun

lad·der ˈlad-ər

: a structure for climbing that consists of two long pieces (as of wood, rope, or metal) joined at short distances by crosspieces on which one may step

: something that suggests a ladder in form or use

: a series of steps or stages : scale

the corporate ladder

ladder

noun

Synonyms of ladder

Examples of ladder in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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ladder

noun

Synonyms of ladder

Examples of ladder in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing ladder

Rhymes for ladder

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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