footstep
Americannoun
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footsteps
plural
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the setting down of a foot, or the sound so produced; footfall; tread.
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the distance covered by a step in walking; pace.
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a footprint.
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a step by which to ascend or descend.
idioms
noun
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the action of taking a step in walking
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the sound made by stepping or walking
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the distance covered with a step; pace
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a footmark
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a single stair; step
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to continue the tradition or example of another
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of footstep
First recorded in 1175–1225, footstep is from Middle English foote steppe. See foot, step
Vocabulary lists containing footstep
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The duo went 1-2 in the 200, with Coleman beating his older teammate for the first time, edging him by a footstep, 21.01 to 21.27.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2023
They can be triggered by pressure, such as a footstep on or nearby the unit.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 31, 2023
Each footstep on the spongy ground seems to release fumes of decay into already fetid air.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 26, 2021
Aching joints are a given, blisters common and twisted ankles never more than a stray footstep in the woods away.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2021
Every bump and footstep made her jolt, and she’d managed to swipe a few pins from Philippa’s sewing basket when she wasn’t looking.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
Following in the footsteps of pioneering overseas restaurants like Coda in Berlin and Room4Dessert in Bali, more domestic pastry chefs are introducing menus entirely dedicated to the dessert course.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
In 2009, he followed in Dr. Phil’s footsteps and launched his own talk show, with Winfrey’s production company backing the venture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Apple investors almost certainly are far better off for it — and Cook’s successor, John Ternus, would do well to follow in his footsteps.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026
"Never come here, you'll only suffer," he warned those who might follow in his footsteps.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
Up and down she went, leaping from building to building, footsteps thundering behind her.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
