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).

(figurative) A series of stages by which one progresses to a better position.

(figurative) The hierarchy or ranking system within an organization, such as the corporate ladder.

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

In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.

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.