definition of
ladder

[1] #1 ladder n. steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down. wn

[2] #2 ladder v. [run] come unraveled or undone as if by snagging; "Her nylons were running". wn

[3] #3 ladder n. ascending stages by which somebody or something can progress; "he climbed the career ladder". wn

[4] #4 ladder n. [run, ravel] a row of unravelled stitches; "she got a run in her stocking". wn