Definitions for ladder
ˈlæd ərlad·der

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. laddernoun

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

2. laddernoun

   ascending stages by which somebody or something can progress

   "he climbed the career ladder"

3. run, ladder, ravelverb

   a row of unravelled stitches

   "she got a run in her stocking"

4. ladder, runverb

   come unraveled or undone as if by snagging

   "Her nylons were running"

GCIDERate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Laddernoun

   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.

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. laddernoun

   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.

2. laddernoun

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

3. laddernoun

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

4. laddernoun

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

5. ladderverb

   To ascend a building or wall using a ladder.

6. ladderverb

   To develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread

7. 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.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. LADDERnoun

   Etymology: hladre , Saxon.

   1. A frame made with steps placed between two upright pieces.

   Whose compost is rotten, and carried in time,
   And spread as it should be, thrift’s ladder may clime. Thomas Tusser.

   Now streets grow throng’d, and busy as by day,
   Some run for buckets to the hallow’d quire;
   Some cut the pipes, and some the engines play,
   And some more bold mount ladders to the fire. Dryden.

   I saw a stage erected about a foot and a half from the ground, capable of holding four of the inhabitants with two or three ladders to mount it. Gulliver’s Travels.

   Easy in words thy stile, in sense sublime;
   ’Tis like the ladder in the patriarch’s dream,
   Its foot on earth; its height above the skies. Matthew Prior.

   2. Any thing by which one climbs.

   Then took she help to her of a servant near about her husband, whom she knew to be of a hasty ambition; and such a one, who wanting true sufficiency to raise him, would make a ladder of any mischief. Philip Sidney, b. ii.

   I must climb her window,
   The ladder made of cords. William Shakespeare, Two Gent. of Verona.

   Northumberland, thou ladder, by the which
   My cousin Bolingbroke ascends my throne. William Shakespeare.

   Lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,
   Whereto the climber upward turns his face. William Shakespeare.

   3. A gradual rise.

   Endow’d with all these accomplishments, we leave him in the full career of success, mounting fast towards the top of the ladder ecclesiastical, which he hath a fair probability to reach. Jonathan Swift.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ladder

   A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps used for climbing or descending. There are two types: rigid ladders that are self-supporting or that may be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rollable ladders, such as those made of rope or aluminium, that may be hung from the top. The vertical members of a rigid ladder are called stringers or rails (US) or stiles (UK). Rigid ladders are usually portable, but some types are permanently fixed to a structure, building, or equipment. They are commonly made of metal, wood, or fiberglass, but they have been known to be made of tough plastic.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ladder

   A ladder is a piece of equipment used for climbing up or down something, which consists of two vertical supports, with a series of horizontal bars or steps between them. These steps or rungs are evenly spaced and are used to ascend or descend safely. Ladders can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, or fiberglass, and can come in various lengths, styles and configurations including straight, extension, step-ladders and others.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ladderverb

   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

2. Ladderverb

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

3. 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.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ladder

   Latter vs. Ladder -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Latter and Ladder.

Matched Categories

1. • Come Apart
   • Degree
   • Steps

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

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Christine Mumma:

   I understand those shelves were very high, but there was a ladder in that room.

2. Warren Wiersbe:

   Four Lessons on Life 1. Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up. 2. If you get too far ahead of the army, your soldiers may mistake you for the enemy. 3. Don't complain about the bottom rungs of the ladder they helped to get you higher. 4. If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm.

3. Thomas Henry Huxley:

   The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.

4. Saint Augustine:

   We make ourselves a ladder out of our vices if we trample the vices themselves underfoot.

5. Stephen Covey:

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

Popularity rank by frequency of use