doorstep

American  

[dawr-step, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌstɛp, ˈdoʊr- /

noun

1. a step or one of a series of steps leading from the ground to a door.

2. British Slang. a thick slice of bread.

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doorstep British  

/ ˈdɔːˌstɛp /

noun

1. a step in front of a door

2. very close or accessible

3. informal a thick slice of bread

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verb

1. to canvass (a district) or interview (a member of the public) by or in the course of door-to-door visiting

2. (of a journalist) to wait outside the house of (someone) to obtain an interview, photograph, etc when he or she emerges

doorstep Idioms  

1. see under at one's door (on one's doorstep).

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Etymology

Origin of doorstep

First recorded in 1800–10; door + step

Example Sentences

Doorstep applause for key workers... delivering food to neighbours... chatting to friends from several yards away.

From BBC • May 17, 2022

As J. Douglas Smith documents in On Democracy’s Doorstep, these gulfs in population were staggering.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2021

Lovecraft toys with it, taking the idea of the old possessing the young to its logical and incredibly creepy conclusion in "The Thing on the Doorstep."

From The Verge • Jul. 19, 2015

Delivery fee: For home delivery, $12 to $15; if picked up at nearby locations, free for orders over $50, otherwise $3; unlimited free deliveries with Relay Doorstep membership for $30 a month.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2014

Doorstep slices of granary loaf Beryl’s auntie baked for three families every Wednesday, and pickled onions as big as apples.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

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