ladder

noun

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 British) A length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings; a run.

(go) A sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.

verb

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.

Synonyms & related words for ladder

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Words related to ladder

Explore words related to ladder — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include scalariform, rungs, stepladder, stairs, stairway, manrope, staircase, stairhead. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.