scaffolding
noun
scaf·fold·ing
ˈska-fəl-diŋ 
-ˌfōl-
1
: a system of scaffolds
… photographers were allowed, three at a time, to ascend the elaborate scaffolding …—
Eric Scigliano
Eric Scigliano
also
: material for scaffolds
2
: a support system or structure likened to a system of scaffolds
… in his readings and talks with authors, he is seeking theoretical scaffolding for his actions …—John F. Dickerson
John F. Dickerson
especially, education
: a system or framework of support provided by an instructor to help a student reach the next level of learning
By identifying the next skills just above the child's current skill level, then providing scaffolding (or assistance) in a way that helps the child display the identified skills accurately, and then fading out the need for scaffolding, you can help a child to learn new things and become more independent. —Heather Gilmore
Heather Gilmore Teachers should look for tools that help them easily adjust instructional scaffolding from assignment to assignment and from student to student—allowing them to meet students where they are as they learn to write for authentic audiences. —Troy Hicks
Troy Hicks Examples of scaffolding in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside, workers were removing scaffolding that had been in front of the building for years.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The scaffolding has come down at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
The landmark appears to be almost completely hidden by a thick, gray material with scaffolding installed on the outside, according to photos shared on X on Tuesday, March 31.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
However, the department said the complaints could not be substantiated after its members went to check and found no one smoking on the scaffolding.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scaffolding
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The scaffolding has come down at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
The landmark appears to be almost completely hidden by a thick, gray material with scaffolding installed on the outside, according to photos shared on X on Tuesday, March 31.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
However, the department said the complaints could not be substantiated after its members went to check and found no one smoking on the scaffolding.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scaffolding
Cite this Entry
“Scaffolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scaffolding. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scaffolding
noun
scaf·fold·ing
ˈskaf-əl-diŋ
-ˌōl-
1
: a system of scaffolds
2
: materials for scaffolds
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
