ladder

Noun

• a row of unravelled stitches
  • she got a run in her stocking
    

• ascending stages by which somebody or something can progress
  • he climbed the career ladder
    

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

Verb

• come unraveled or undone as if by snagging
  • Her nylons were running
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  run , ravel