A social, religious, economic or political system or organization in which people or groups of people are ranked with some superior to others based on their status, authority or some other trait.
A body of authoritative officials organized in nested ranks.
Any group of objects ranked so that every one but the topmost is subordinate to a specified one above it.
The hierarchy or ranking system within an organization, such as the corporate ladder.
A length of unravelled fabric in a knitted garment, especially in nylon stockings; a run.
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).
A series of stages by which one progresses to a better position.
In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.
Of a knitted garment: to develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread.
To ascend (a building, a wall, etc.) using a ladder.
To arrange or form into a shape of a ladder.
To close in on a target with successive salvos, increasing or decreasing the shot range as necessary.