What is a ladder?

I've heard the term ladder mentioned several times relating to switches. What does it mean? Is it just a term for an uphill track?

A ladder track in a rail yard or station area is simply a "feeder" track that links a series of more or less parallel tracks.

The lead in the yard. The track that goes from the main to #1, to #2, etc.

a ladder is a series of switches which fans out into multiple yard tracks. something like below:

yard track 1 ----------.------- main track
yard track 2 ---------/
yard track 3 --------/
yard track 4 -------/
yard track 5 ------/