Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Nearby Entries
ladders - 2 dictionary results
Executive Level Jobs
 Looking for a Management Position? Search Jobs that pay over $100,000
 www.TheLadders.com
Find Ladders on Sale
 Safety & top quality for less: Buy durable Ladders at reduced prices!
 www.ladders.best-price.com
Ladders
 Find LA Ladders. Post free classifieds at Kijiji!
 www.Kijiji.com

lad⋅der

  [lad-er]
Use ladders in a Sentence
–noun
1. a structure of wood, metal, or rope, commonly consisting of two sidepieces between which a series of bars or rungs are set at suitable distances, forming a means of climbing up or down.
2. something resembling this.
3. a means of rising, as to eminence: the ladder of success.
4. a graded series of stages or levels in status; a hierarchical order of position or rank: high on the political ladder.
5. Nautical. companionway (def. 1).
6. Chiefly British. a run in a stocking.
–verb (used with object)
7. to climb or mount by means of a ladder: to ladder a wall.
8. to furnish with a ladder: to ladder a water tower.
9. Chiefly British. to cause a run in (a stocking).
–verb (used without object)
10. Chiefly British. to get a run, as in a stocking.
11. to gain in popularity or importance: He laddered to the top of his profession.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME laddre, OE hlǣder; c. G Leiter, D leer (also ladder < Fris); akin to Goth hleithra tent; orig., something that slopes. See lean 1

Related forms:
lad⋅der⋅less, adjective
lad⋅der⋅like, lad⋅der⋅y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ladders
Executive Level Jobs
 Looking for a Management Position? Search Jobs that pay over $100,000
 www.TheLadders.com
Find Ladders on Sale
 Safety & top quality for less: Buy durable Ladders at reduced prices!
 www.ladders.best-price.com
lad·der   (lād'ər)   
n.  
    1. An often portable structure consisting of two long sides crossed by parallel rungs, used to climb up and down.
    2. Something that resembles this device, especially a run in a stocking.
    3. A means of ascent and descent: ascending the social ladder.
    4. A series of ranked stages or levels: high on the executive ladder.
    1. A means of ascent and descent: ascending the social ladder.
    2. A series of ranked stages or levels: high on the executive ladder.
intr.v.   lad·dered, lad·der·ing, lad·ders
To run, as a stocking does.

[Middle English, from Old English hlǣder; see klei- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see ladders on Thesaurus | Reference
Ladders
 Find LA Ladders. Post free classifieds at Kijiji!
 www.Kijiji.com
Ladders
 Ladders & More. Free Shipping on 150,000+ Products!
 www.Target.com
Ladders
 Quickly Find Ladder Providers For Your Business
 www.Business.com