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
The thick deep pile carpet that has been laid on these ancient stones has seen to that - it muffles every footstep.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2022
Each footstep on the spongy ground seems to release fumes of decay into already fetid air.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 26, 2021
Every footstep seemed to pull him deeper down into the caverns of his memories.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
“When it comes to operations in the Central African Republic, Pavel has followed in his father’s footsteps with ease,” said Nathalia Dukhan, a senior researcher with Global Initiative.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
She has been involved since childhood, following in the footsteps of her father and uncle, who both raced competitively.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Clinkunbroomer had served eight years in the Sheriff’s Department at the time of his death — following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Let's have a stab in the dark, then, at who might follow in Jonathan Ross's footsteps as this year's "big dog", and who, like singer Cat Burns, could fly under the radar?
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
My aunt’s voice drifts out from the kitchen as she hears my footsteps pounding the stairs.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
