ladder

IPA: ɫˈædɝ

A frame, usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, used for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened rungs (cross strips or rounds acting as steps).
(figuratively) A series of stages by which one progresses to a better position.
(figuratively) The hierarchy or ranking system within an organization, such as the corporate ladder.
(chiefly Britain) A length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings; a run.
In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.

To arrange or form into a shape of a ladder.
(chiefly firefighting) To ascend (a building, a wall, etc.) using a ladder.
Of a knitted garment: to develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread.
(UK, naval slang) To close in on a target with successive salvos, increasing or decreasing the shot range as necessary.
(UK, law enforcement, of a police officer) To corruptly coerce a convicted offender to admit to offences to be taken into consideration which they do not actually believe they committed, as a way to artificially increase the rate of solved crimes.

Examples of "ladder" in Sentences

Because it leads you straight down what I call the ladder of compromise.
We spent a long time creating what we call our ladder of maturities and when you look at our maturities out over a
In the original tongue the term ladder is derived from an expression which signifies a path or way, and a path or way is predicated of truth.
The 16-time grand slam champion faces yet more uphill climb as he takes aim at the next step on the title ladder, the 77 trophies of John McEnroe.
In reflecting on the success question this weekend, I've realized that a ladder is a good metaphor for looking at this aspect in our professional life.
Well now, they had a ladder, what we called a ladder road right beside where that skiff went down in the shaft, and it was kind of built off — you know, penned up — so that you wouldn't get over in the shaft.
He continued: But the top of the ladder is a very trying place for old revolutionists who have had no administrative experience, who have had no financial experience, who have been trained as penniless hunted fugitives with Karl Marx on the brain and not as statesmen.
The two GeoTrax made by Fisher-Price were sold at retail stores nationwide from September 2006 through August 2007 for between $3 and $16 and include: • GEOTRAX Rail and Road System Freightway Transport – painted yellow headlights on train car and miniature ladder• GEOTRAX Special Track Pack – painted yellow headlights on train car and miniature ladder