Ladder vs. Stairs — What's the Difference?

A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. There are two types: rigid ladders that are self-supporting or that may be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rollable ladders, such as those made of rope or aluminium, that may be hung from the top.

Stairs, a stairway, a staircase, a stairwell, or a flight of stairs is a construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps. Stairs may be straight, round, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at angles.

A piece of equipment consisting of a series of bars or steps between two upright lengths of wood, metal, or rope, used for climbing up or down something.

Often stairs A series or flight of steps; a staircase.

A vertical strip of unravelled fabric in tights or stockings

One of a flight of steps.

(with reference to tights or stockings) develop or cause to develop a ladder

Plural of stair

An often portable structure consisting of two long sides crossed by parallel rungs, used to climb up and down.

A contiguous set of steps connecting two floors.

Something that resembles this device, especially a run in a stocking.

A way of access consisting of a set of steps

A means of moving higher or lower, as in a hierarchy

A series of ranked stages or levels

A fish ladder.

An athletic workout in which one does progressively longer intervals followed by progressively shorter intervals.

One of the intervals in such a workout.

To run, as a stocking does.

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).

(figuratively) A series of stages by which one progresses to a better position.

(figuratively) 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.

In the game of go, a sequence of moves following a zigzag pattern and ultimately leading to the capture of the attacked stones.

To arrange or form into a shape of a ladder.

To ascend (a building, a wall, etc.) using a ladder.

Of a knitted garment: to develop a ladder as a result of a broken thread.

To close in on a target with successive salvos, increasing or decreasing the shot range as necessary.

A frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps.

That which resembles a ladder in form or use;

Steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

Ascending stages by which somebody or something can progress;

A row of unravelled stitches;

Come unraveled or undone as if by snagging;