Scaffold v Scaffolding

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary,

  1. ‘Scaffold’ means ‘a structure made of scaffolding, for workers to stand on when they are working on a building’ and,

  2. ‘Scaffolding’ means ‘poles and boards that are joined together to make a structure for workers to stand on when they are working high up on the outside wall of a building’.

I just can’t see any difference between these two.

Can anyone enlighten me on this please?

Thanks in advance.

2

I always use “scaffolding” for that meaning. “scaffold” makes me think of a structure on which criminals are (or formerly were) hanged.

3

I see no difference between the two, and I use them interchangeably.

4

For interest, I just found an identical question at forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1533304

5

Thanks Dozy and Jamie.