Ladder: meaning, definitions and examples

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ladder

 

[ หˆlรฆdษ™r ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

climbing equipment

A ladder is a piece of equipment consisting of two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with a series of steps or rungs between them, used for climbing up or down something.

Synonyms

escalator, staircase, steps

Examples of usage

  • You'll need a ladder to reach the top shelf.
  • He climbed up the ladder to clean the gutters.
  • She placed the ladder against the wall to paint the ceiling.
Context #2 | Noun

hierarchical structure

A ladder can also refer to a hierarchical structure or ranking system where individuals can move up or down based on their status, authority, or performance.

Synonyms

hierarchy, promotion, ranking

Examples of usage

  • He quickly climbed the corporate ladder to become CEO.
  • She started at the bottom of the career ladder and worked her way up.
Context #3 | Verb

move gradually

To ladder can mean to move gradually or sequentially from one level or position to another.

Synonyms

advance, increment, progress

Examples of usage

  • The prices laddered up slowly over the course of the year.
  • She laddered her investments to reduce risk.

Translations

Translations of the word "ladder" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น escada

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅ€เคขเคผเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Leiter

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tangga

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดั€ะฐะฑะธะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ drabina

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใฏใ—ใ”

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉchelle

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ escalera

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท merdiven

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‚ฌ๋‹ค๋ฆฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณูู„ู‘ูŽู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลพebล™รญk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ rebrรญk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆขฏๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ lestve

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ stigi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐัา›ั‹ัˆ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒ˜แƒ‘แƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nษ™rdivan

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ escalera

Etymology

The word 'ladder' has Old English origins, coming from the word 'hlรฆder'. Ladders have been used for centuries by humans to reach heights or access elevated areas. They are essential tools in various industries such as construction, firefighting, and rescue operations. The concept of climbing a ladder as a metaphor for advancing in one's career or social status dates back centuries, reflecting the idea of upward mobility and progression.

See also: lad, ladle.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,809 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.