often attributive
1
: a structure for climbing up or down that consists essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by crosspieces on which one may step
2
: something that resembles or suggests a ladder in form or use
especially
: run sense 11a
3
: a series of usually ascending steps or stages : scale
climbing up the corporate ladder
Examples of ladder in a Sentence
He was moving up the corporate ladder.
She worked her way up from the lowest rung on the economic ladder.
She got a ladder in her stocking.
Recent Examples on the Web
This was doubly true for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who hoped to use their educational credentials to catapult themselves up the class ladder.
—
Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Generations of young professionals were taught to go to college, get a 9-5 job, and climb the corporate ladder.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
That ladder is now being rewritten.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Both their families came from remote country regions, climbed Rome’s social ladder and became comfortably middle class.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ladder
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Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Generations of young professionals were taught to go to college, get a 9-5 job, and climb the corporate ladder.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
That ladder is now being rewritten.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Both their families came from remote country regions, climbed Rome’s social ladder and became comfortably middle class.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ladder
Cite this Entry
“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladder. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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