footstep

American  

[foot-step] / ˈfʊtˌstɛp /

noun

1. the setting down of a foot, or the sound so produced; footfall; tread.

2. the distance covered by a step in walking; pace.

3. a footprint.

4. a step by which to ascend or descend.

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idioms

1. follow in someone's footsteps, to succeed or imitate another person.

footstep British  

/ ˈfʊtˌstɛp /

noun

1. the action of taking a step in walking

2. the sound made by stepping or walking

3. the distance covered with a step; pace

4. a footmark

5. a single stair; step

6. to continue the tradition or example of another

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footstep More Idioms  

1. see follow in someone's footsteps.

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Etymology

Origin of footstep

First recorded in 1175–1225, footstep is from Middle English foote steppe. See foot, step

Example Sentences

“Good Trouble” begins by tracing his footsteps growing up in Troy, Ala., where he was born on February 21, 1940, the third of 10 children to a sharecropping family.

From Salon

Saul entered the military following in the footsteps of a childhood friend, who was at La Carlota air base during the US attack and was wounded in the leg.

From Barron's

This season as a junior, his defensive prowess and three-point shooting make him the next top Harvard-Westlake guard following in the footsteps of Trent Perry.

From Los Angeles Times

Waters said she hopes to follow in the footsteps of those sports legends.

From MarketWatch

But nothing reminds a body of how alone they are in the world than footsteps in an empty house.

From Literature

Related Words

• footprint