Definition

Noun: 1. A crosspiece forming a step of a ladder: A rundle is one of the horizontal bars or rods that serve as the steps on a ladder, providing a place for a person's foot.

Usage

The word "rundle" is a specific, somewhat technical term for a component of a ladder. It is less common in everyday speech than the synonym "rung." It is used when describing the physical structure of a ladder.

Examples

• The old wooden ladder had several broken rundles, making it unsafe to climb.
• He carefully placed his foot on each rundle as he ascended.
• The firefighter checked the integrity of every rundle on the extension ladder.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to represent a level or stage in a process, though this is rare and "rung" is overwhelmingly preferred.
  • He had climbed every rundle of the corporate ladder. (This usage is technically possible but uncommon.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rung (noun): The far more common and preferred synonym for the step of a ladder or a level in a hierarchy.
• Stave (noun): A related term for one of the narrow strips of wood or metal forming the sides of a barrel or, in some contexts, a ladder.

Synonyms

• Rung: A step of a ladder.
• Step: A flat surface, especially one in a series, on which to place the foot when moving up or down.
• Crosspiece: A piece of material (like wood or metal) placed or fixed across another.

Antonyms

• Riser: The vertical part between two steps on a staircase (this is the structural opposite on a stair, though not typically used for ladders).

Noun

1. one of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder