ladder

n. countable

B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɫædɝ// UK //lˈædɐ// lad·der

General-service Slang

n. a piece of equipment with steps that you use to climb up or down. It usually has two long side pieces joined by several bars.

n. a structure consisting of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by rungs, used for ascending or descending. Often used metaphorically to describe a series of stages for professional or social advancement.

SIMPLE

He used a tall ladder to paint the ceiling.

CONTEXTUAL

The fire department arrived quickly and extended a mechanical ladder to reach the top floor of the burning building.

COMPLEX

Ambitious employees often focus on climbing the corporate ladder, though the path to executive leadership requires more than just technical proficiency and long hours.

Synonyms

Origin

Inherited from Middle English ladder, laddre; from Old English hlǣder, from Proto-West Germanic hlaidriju, from Proto-Germanic hlaidrijō, from Proto-Indo-European ḱlóydʰrom, from ḱley- (“to lean”). Compare Scots ledder, North Frisian ladder, Saterland Frisian Laadere, West Frisian ljedder, Dutch ladder, German Leiter; also Old Irish clithar (“hedge”), and Umbrian 𐌊𐌋𐌄𐌈𐌓𐌀𐌌 (kleθram, “stretcher”). See lean, which is related to lid. Further cognates include Ashkun istrī, Kamkata-viri c̣ik, Prasuni čik, čix; Waigali c̣iř, Sanskrit श्रिति (śrití).

Usage

Commonly used with the verb 'climb' in both literal and figurative contexts.

Idioms4 entries