ladder · n
ladder (JOBS)
C1 a series of increasingly important jobs or stages in a particular type of work or process
Dictionary examples:
a first step on the employment ladder (30.0)
He moved rapidly up the corporate ladder. (45.7)
ladder (EQUIPMENT)
B1 a piece of equipment that is used to reach high places, consisting of short steps attached between two long sides
Dictionary examples:
He used a ladder to change the lightbulb, but forgot to turn off the power first. (0.0)
He bought a ladder to reach the cookies his wife hid on top of the fridge. (0.0)
The clumsy painter fell asleep on the ladder and woke up covered in paint. (0.0)
She was up on a ladder, cleaning the window. (27.5)