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• step-up
  step-up

  adjective

  effecting an increase.
• step up
  step up

  verb

  (tr) to increase or raise by stages; accelerate

step-up

American  

[step-uhp] / ˈstɛpˌʌp /

Or stepup

adjective

1. effecting an increase.

2. Electricity. serving to increase voltage.

   a step-up transformer.

3. (of a lease) allowing for gradual rent increases to the highest amount permissible.

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noun

step-ups plural

1. an increase or rise in the rate or quantity of something.

step up British  

verb

1. (tr) to increase or raise by stages; accelerate

2. (intr) to make progress or effect an advancement; be promoted

3. 1. baseball to move into batting position

   2. to come forward and take responsibility for something

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adjective

1. (of a transformer) increasing a low voltage applied to the primary winding to a higher voltage on the secondary winding Compare step down

2. informal involving a rise by stages

noun

1. informal an increment in quantity, size, etc

step up Idioms  

1. Increase, especially in stages, as in We've got to step up production . [Early 1900s] Also see step down , def. 2.

2. Come forward, as in Step up to the podium, folks, and I'll show you how it works . [Mid-1600s]

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• step-ups
  plural

Etymology

Origin of step-up

First recorded in 1890–95; adj., noun use of verb phrase step up

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

step-up step up step-ups

Fifth Third Bancorp recorded a step-up in revenue and profit for the second quarter as the integration of its recent Comerica acquisition translated to major gains.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

As a widow, you do qualify for benefits that unmarried individuals are not privy to, such as a step-up in payment amount if your deceased spouse’s benefit was higher than yours.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

Assets generally receive a step-up in basis if they are included in your taxable estate at your death.

From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026

Swapping allows for a step-up in cost basis for heirs, eliminating capital-gains tax on appreciated assets.

From Barron's ● May 16, 2026

Oh, no," Cecile said, "we can expect no step-up in this world by the aid of any interested relative.

From The Corner House Girls Growing Up What Happened First, What Came Next. And How It Ended by Hill, Grace Brooks

Oil futures started the week lower after the U.S. put on hold plans to step up its military campaign against Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

If we want to maintain our leadership tomorrow, we in Europe need to wake up and step up our efforts.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

He’s hoping that state officials will actually step in and step up soon, because despite his determination, he’s not sure how much longer he can fund the project on his own.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

Arsenal's Max Dowman, 16, broke records for his age-related achievements in the Premier League and the Champions League and is destined to make the step up.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

“You’re deflecting. I appreciate that, but now is the time to step up, yes?”

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

The signs point to several short-term factors coming together all at once — trade logjams, a surge in post-pandemic demand for goods, limited step-ups in oil production, labor demands for a living wage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2021

To make it equal to the in-person event, climb 1,197 stairs, do 600 step-ups, walk 3.75 miles, swim 1,200 meters, run 2 miles or cycle 20 miles.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 10, 2021

To increase the intensity, he suggests performing lunges or step-ups with weights or a backpack.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2021

Circuits might include running up stairs with weights on her back, box jumps, push-ups, pull-ups, dead lifts and step-ups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2016

Clean and snatch was out of the question because of my back and squats because of my knee, so I got the pleasure of doing step-ups.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 26, 2014

Related Words

• boost
• escalate
• hasten
• improve
• increase
• intensify
• quicken
• raise
• speed