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ladder

noun, often attributive
lad·​der | \ ˈla-dÉ™r How to pronounce ladder (audio) \

Definition of ladder

1 : a structure for climbing up or down that consists essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by crosspieces on which one may step
2 : something that resembles or suggests a ladder in form or use especially : run sense 11a
3 : a series of usually ascending steps or stages : scale climbing up the corporate ladder
Other Words from ladder Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about ladder

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Other Words from ladder

ladderlike \ ˈla-​dÉ™r-​ËŒlÄ«k How to pronounce ladderlike (audio) \ 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 For now, neither is viewed by industry members as a frontrunner, but until Billy Beane turned down the Red Sox GM job after the 2002 season, few considered Theo Epstein likely to move up the ladder, either. — BostonGlobe.com, "What now? Who are the likely candidates to head the Red Sox baseball operations department?," 10 Sep. 2019 For business professionals looking to make a career change or simply move up the ladder in their current field, obtaining an MBA degree might be an ideal solution. — Emilia Benton, Houston Chronicle, "MBAs help professionals advance, branch out careers," 6 Sep. 2019 Betty’s Barney helps Wilma’s Fred move up the ladder at Slate & Co. in Stone Age Bedrock. — Los Angeles Times, "Here are the feature and TV films airing the week of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019," 11 Aug. 2019 Having reached his limit in the donut trade, Winchell moved up the ladder of the American fast-food business, acquiring Denny’s, a restaurant chain. — The Economist, "How donuts fuelled the American Dream," 26 July 2019 Arth is moving up the coaching ladder after leading Chattanooga and John Carroll. — Larry Lage, The Denver Post, "Ex-CSU football coach Jim McElwain gets another shot at Central Michigan," 23 July 2019 His grandparents, moving up the social ladder, were a teacher, a social worker, a railway worker, and a civil engineer. — Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, "Can Emmanuel Macron Stem the Populist Tide?," 24 June 2019 Roles in purchasing, customer outreach, sales, estimating and others are all ways to leverage your knowledge and experience while moving up the organizational ladder. — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, "Working Strategies: Six ways to advance your career in the trades," 8 June 2019 In 1990, Hill was tapped as artistic director by Fountain Hills Community Theater, a young company eager to move up the ladder of professionalism. — Kerry Lengel, azcentral, "O.G. Original Greasepaint: How Peter J. Hill built a theater scene one show at a time," 9 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ladder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ladder

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

History and Etymology for ladder

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

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More Definitions for ladder

ladder

noun
How to pronounce ladder (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ladder

: a device used for climbing that has two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with a series of steps or rungs between them
: a series of steps or stages by which someone moves up to a higher or better position
British : a long hole in a stocking

See the full definition for ladder in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ladder

noun
lad·​der | \ ˈla-dÉ™r How to pronounce ladder (audio) \

Kids Definition of ladder

: a device used for climbing usually consisting of two long pieces of wood, rope, or metal joined at short distances by horizontal pieces on which a person may step

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More from Merriam-Webster on ladder

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ladder

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ladder

Spanish Central: Translation of ladder

Nglish: Translation of ladder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ladder for Arabic Speakers

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