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.
The usually informal hierarchy of authority or command, often partial or approximate, as determined by the especially natural propensity for domination of different members of a specific group over each other, such as older brothers and sisters over their younger siblings.
The natural hierarchy of social status and dominance occurring in a group of birds.