lad·der 
/ˈlædɚ/ noun
plural lad·ders /ˈlædɚ/ noun [count] 1 : a device used for climbing that has two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with a series of steps or rungs between them
▪ climb a ladder — see also stepladder 2 : a series of steps or stages by which someone moves up to a higher or better position
▪ He was moving up the corporate ladder. ▪ climbing the social ladder ▪ She worked her way up from the lowest rung on the economic ladder. 3 Brit : a long hole in a stocking : run
▪ She got/had a ladder in her stocking.
▪ climb a ladder — see also stepladder
▪ He was moving up the corporate ladder. ▪ climbing the social ladder ▪ She worked her way up from the lowest rung on the economic ladder.
▪ She got/had a ladder in her stocking.
— ladder verb, ladders; laddered; ladder·ing [no obj] Brit
▪ My stockings laddered. [+ obj] ▪ laddered tights
▪ My stockings laddered. [+ obj] ▪ laddered tights
