<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A structure of wood, metal, or rope, commonly consisting of two sidepieces between which a series of bars or rungs are set at suitable distances, forming a means of climbing up or down.</li><li>Something resembling this.</li><li>A means of rising, as to eminence: the ladder of success.</li><li>A graded series of stages or levels in status; a hierarchical order of position or rank: high on the political ladder.</li><li>Ladder company (def).</li><li>Ladder truck (def).</li><li>Nautical: companionway (def 1).</li><li>Chiefly British: a run in a stocking.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>To climb or mount by means of a ladder: to ladder a wall.</li><li>To furnish with a ladder: to ladder a water tower.</li><li>Chiefly British: to cause a run in (a stocking).</li><li>To get a run, as in a stocking.</li><li>To gain in popularity or importance: He laddered to the top of his profession.</li></ul>