Ladder
/ˈlædər/
nounA2
Definition
A ladder is a simple tool made of two long sides connected by many steps. People use it to climb up to high places like roofs or trees, or to reach something on a tall shelf. It helps you go up or down safely when you cannot reach with just your hands.
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See It in Action
A tool for climbing up or down
- •She used a ladder to clean the windows on the second floor.
- •The firefighter climbed the ladder to rescue the cat from the tree.
- •He carried a ladder to fix the roof.
A symbol for progress or moving up in life or work (less common, more abstract)
- •She climbed the career ladder quickly and became manager.
- •The company offers many chances to climb the ladder of success.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of a ladder like stairs, but you can move it anywhere you want because it is not fixed.
- ✓Picture a wooden or metal frame with steps you climb one by one, like climbing a small mountain.
- ✓It feels helpful and safe when you want to reach something far above you.
- ✓Sounds like "lad-der" → imagine a "lad" (a boy) climbing a ladder to get a prize at the top.
- ✓In stories, ladders often help heroes climb walls or escape danger.
- ✓NOT like "stairs" (which are built inside buildings and stay in one place), a ladder is portable and can be moved.
- ✓NOT like "elevator" (which moves people up and down automatically), a ladder needs you to climb by yourself.
- ✓NOT like "rope" (soft and flexible), a ladder is hard and steady with clear steps.
Try Other Words
- •Steps: small flat parts to walk on (Use when talking about parts of stairs or ladders, but "steps" alone is not a tool)
- •Staircase: a set of stairs inside a building (Use when talking about permanent stairs, not portable)
- •Scaffold: a structure to stand on when working high (Use for big work platforms, not simple ladders)
- •Rung: one step on a ladder (Use when focusing on the parts of the ladder, not the whole ladder)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ladder" is a single word with no prefix or suffix
- •Etymology: From Old English "hlæder," meaning a climbing structure or steps
- •Historical development: Used for centuries as a tool to climb; early ladders were made from wood or rope
- •Modern usage: Ladders are made from wood, metal, or plastic and used in homes, work, and emergencies
- •Interesting fact: Ladders can be straight, folding, or extendable to reach different heights
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you have to climb a very tall ladder? Does it feel safe or scary?
•Can you think of a time when a ladder helped you solve a problem or reach something important?
Fill in the blanks
1.She used a ladder to ___ the roof and fix the broken tile.
2.A ladder is different from stairs because it is ___ and can be moved.
3.When climbing a ladder, it is important to hold the ___ for safety.
4.Firefighters often use ladders to ___ people from high places.
5.The word "ladder" can also mean moving up in your ___ or job.
6.You cannot use a ladder if it is broken or missing a ___.
7.People usually climb ladders step by step, holding the sides ___ with their hands.