# rung

/ˈɹəŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈʌŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rung
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. ladder step

noun · CEFR B2

one of the horizontal bars that you step on when climbing a ladder.

For teachers: a horizontal crosspiece forming a step of a ladder.

- He climbed carefully, making sure his foot was firm on each rung.
- The wooden ladder was so old that the bottom rung snapped under the weight of the heavy equipment.

### 2. level in a hierarchy

noun · CEFR B2

a position or level in a system, like a job or social group.

For teachers: a specific level or stage within a hierarchical structure, such as a career path or social class.

- Starting as an intern is the first rung on the career ladder.
- She spent ten years working her way up to the highest rung of the corporate hierarchy.

## Examples

- He placed his foot firmly on the bottom rung of the ladder.
- She worked hard for years to move from an entry-level position to the next rung of the corporate ladder.
- The safety inspector noted that the third rung was cracked and required immediate replacement to prevent a fall during the maintenance work.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.