Definitions for ladder
ˈlæd ərlad·der

Princeton's WordNet(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. ladder(noun)

   steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

2. ladder(noun)

   ascending stages by which somebody or something can progress

   "he climbed the career ladder"

3. run, ladder, ravel(verb)

   a row of unravelled stitches

   "she got a run in her stocking"

4. ladder, run(verb)

   come unraveled or undone as if by snagging

   "Her nylons were running"

GCIDE(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Ladder(n.)

   That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence; as, to climb the corporate ladder.

   Etymology: [OE. laddre, AS. hlder, hldder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. 40. See Lean, v. i., and cf. Climax.]

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ladder(Noun)

   A frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps.

   Etymology: hlæder, from hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian 'stretcher'), from ḱley-. More at lean, related to lid.

2. ladder(Noun)

   That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence, e.g. the corporate ladder.

   Etymology: hlæder, from hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian 'stretcher'), from ḱley-. More at lean, related to lid.

3. ladder(Noun)

   length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings

   Etymology: hlæder, from hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian 'stretcher'), from ḱley-. More at lean, related to lid.

4. ladder(Noun)

   In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.

   Etymology: hlæder, from hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian 'stretcher'), from ḱley-. More at lean, related to lid.

5. ladder(Verb)

   To ascend a building or wall using a ladder.

   Etymology: hlæder, from hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian 'stretcher'), from ḱley-. More at lean, related to lid.

6. ladder(Verb)

   To develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread

   Etymology: hlæder, from hlaidriz (compare West Frisian ljedder, Dutch leer, German Leiter), from ḱleytro (compare Old Irish clithar 'hedge', Umbrian 'stretcher'), from ḱley-. More at lean, related to lid.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ladder(verb)

   a frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps

   Etymology: [OE. laddre, AS. hlder, hldder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. 40. See Lean, v. i., and cf. Climax.]

2. Ladder(verb)

   that which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence

   Etymology: [OE. laddre, AS. hlder, hldder; akin to OFries. hladder, OHG. leitara, G. leiter, and from the root of E. lean, v. 40. See Lean, v. i., and cf. Climax.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ladder

   A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. There are two types: rigid ladders that can be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rope ladders that are hung from the top. The vertical members of a rigid ladder are called stringers or rails or stiles. Rigid ladders are usually portable, but some types are permanently fixed to buildings. They are commonly made of metal, wood, or fibreglass, but they have been known to be made of tough plastic.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ladder

   lad′ėr, n. a frame made with steps placed between two upright pieces, by which one may ascend a building, &c.: anything by which one ascends: a gradual rise. [A.S. hlǽder; Ger. leiter.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ladder

   The accommodation ladder is a sort of light staircase occasionally fixed on the gangway. It is furnished with rails and man-ropes; the lower end of it is kept at a proper distance from the ship's side by iron bars or braces to render it more convenient. (See GANGWAY.)--Forecastle-ladder and hold-ladder, for getting into or out of those parts of a ship.--Jacob's ladder, abaft top-gallant masts, where no ratlines are provided.--Quarter or stern ladders. Two ladders of rope, suspended from the right and left side of a ship's stern, whereby to get into the boats which are moored astern.

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ladder' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3656

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ladder' in Nouns Frequency: #2238

Anagrams for ladder »

1. larded

2. raddle

How to pronounce ladder?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say ladder in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ladder in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ladder in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of ladder in a Sentence

1. Barack Obama:

   It's not a budget that reflects the future. It's not a budget that reflects growth. It's not a budget that is going to help ensure that middle-class families are able to maintain security and stability and that people who are trying to get into the middle class are going to have the rungs on the ladder to get into the middle class.

2. Sipho P Nkosi:

   Position the ladder right for them, but help not a child to climb.

3. Stephen Covey:

   Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

4. David Henneberry:

   I put the ladder up.

5. Mehmet Murat ildan:

   The right thoughts of the clever man are a ladder which takes you higher places. By climbing these ladders, one day you yourself become such a ladder itself!

Images & Illustrations of ladder

Popularity rank by frequency of use