ladder

ladder — noun

1. a tool with two long side pieces connected by short flat steps (called rungs), u

1.nounA2
Definition

a tool with two long side pieces connected by short flat steps (called rungs), used for reaching high places

Example

The painter set his ladder against the wall before starting work.

collocation: set a ladder against [wall/tree/building]

Sayaka climbed the wooden ladder to reach the books on the top shelf.

Common collocations
  • wooden ladder
  • rope ladder
  • aluminium ladder
  • extension ladder
  • stepladder
  • climb a ladder
  • set up a ladder
  • lean a ladder against
Synonyms
  • stepladder

    a specific type of ladder that stands on its own with a folding frame

  • step stool

    a shorter, one- or two-step platform for reaching low heights, not a full ladder

Grammar Patterns

ladder + against/on + noun phrase

Usage Note

The flat steps of a ladder are called rungs. A stepladder has a folding frame that stands on its own, while an extension ladder can be adjusted to different lengths.

Common Mistakes

He climbed on the ladder carefully.
He climbed the ladder carefully.
With 'climb', the preposition 'on' is unnecessary unless you mean moving about on a ladder that is already horizontal.
Step ladder' (two words)
stepladder' (one word)
In British and American English this is written as a single compound.

2. the path of upward movement in a profession, where each stage brings greater res

2.nounB2
Definition

the path of upward movement in a profession, where each stage brings greater responsibility and status

Example

After three years as a junior editor, Eleni started climbing the publishing ladder.

collocation: climb the [career/profession] ladder

Hard work and networking helped Ignacio move up the corporate ladder quickly.

collocation: move up the corporate ladder

Common collocations
  • career ladder
  • corporate ladder
  • social ladder
  • property ladder
  • climb the ladder
  • move up the ladder
  • rung on the ladder
  • first rung
Synonyms
  • career path

    the sequence of jobs someone has; focuses on the direction rather than vertical movement

  • promotion track

    a structured route within a single company toward higher positions

Grammar Patterns

the + noun + ladder

climb/move up + the + ladder

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used with definite article 'the' or a possessive (her/their). The 'corporate ladder' and 'career ladder' are the most common fixed phrases. The word 'rung' (one of the horizontal steps) is frequently used metaphorically: 'the first rung on the ladder' means the very first stage.

Common Mistakes

I am climbing on the career ladder.
I am climbing the career ladder.
The preposition 'on' is not used with the figurative sense.
He fell off the success ladder.
He fell off the corporate ladder.
'Success ladder' is not a standard collocation; use 'corporate ladder', 'career ladder', or 'social ladder.'

3. a long thin vertical tear in tights, stockings, or knitted fabric where threads

3.nounB1
Definition

a long thin vertical tear in tights, stockings, or knitted fabric where threads have broken

Example

Hoa noticed a ladder running up the side of her tights just before the meeting.

pattern: a ladder + running up / appearing in [garment]

The rough edge of the desk caused a ladder in Rachel's stocking.

Common collocations
  • have a ladder
  • get a ladder
  • stop a ladder
  • ladder in tights
  • ladder in stockings
Synonyms
  • run

    American English equivalent; a long vertical tear in stockings or tights

  • rip

    a general tear in fabric; less specific to the vertical shape of a ladder

Grammar Patterns

have/get + a ladder + in + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense is primarily British English. In American English the equivalent word is 'run' (e.g., 'I have a run in my stocking'). The verb form 'ladder' also exists for this meaning.

Common Mistakes

There is a ladder on my tights.
There is a ladder in my tights.
The preposition used is 'in', not 'on.'

4. a competition format in which participants are listed according to their skill l

4.nounB2
Definition

a competition format in which participants are listed according to their skill level, and a player can rise by defeating someone placed higher

Example

After three straight wins, Rachid moved to the top of the club's table-tennis ladder.

collocation: top of the ladder (sports)

The squash ladder at the leisure centre has twenty players competing for higher positions.

Common collocations
  • tennis ladder
  • squash ladder
  • badminton ladder
  • promotion ladder
  • top of the ladder
  • bottom of the ladder
  • climb the ladder
  • challenge on the ladder
Synonyms
  • ranking list

    a more general term for any ordered list of competitors by skill

  • leaderboard

    shows the top-ranked players; often a subset of the full ladder

Grammar Patterns

the + sport + ladder

top/bottom of + the + ladder

Usage Note

Ladder systems are common in racket sports (squash, badminton, table tennis) and some video-game competitive modes. Unlike a knockout tournament, a ladder is always active — players can challenge and be challenged throughout a season.

Idioms

climb the corporate ladder

idiom

to steadily advance to more important and better-paid positions within a business or organization

Eleni climbed the corporate ladder from receptionist to vice-president in just twelve years.

top of the ladder

idiom

the highest position or level of achievement in a profession, organization, or field of activity

After decades of research, Dr. Okafor reached the top of the academic ladder as a university chancellor.

first rung on the ladder

idiom

the very first stage or entry-level position in a career or process of advancement

An unpaid internship is often the first rung on the ladder for young journalists.

ladder — verb

Word family

  • laddered
    adjectiveB1
  • stepladder
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All three refer to professional progression, but they differ in metaphor and scope. A 'career path' is the broadest term — it describes the sequence of jobs a person holds over time and can include sideways moves or changes of industry. A 'promotion track' is narrower: it implies a structured route within a single organization, with clearly defined steps and timelines. The 'corporate ladder' adds a competitive, vertical image of climbing over others to reach the top — it suggests ambition and upward-only movement. For example, someone might say 'I chose a career path in healthcare' without any implication of ladder-climbing; but 'she is climbing the corporate ladder' strongly suggests she is actively seeking promotions in a business setting.

career pathpromotion trackcorporate ladder

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Old English 'hlǣder', from Proto-Germanic 'hlaidrijō' meaning a structure of bars or crosspieces. The figurative use to mean 'a means of advancement' dates from the 17th century, while the sense of a torn thread in stockings appeared in the early 20th century, reflecting the visual similarity to a ladder's rungs.