a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking, running, or dancing.
such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot.
The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.
the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.
the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.
a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint.
the manner of walking; gait; stride.
pace in marching.
double-quick step.
a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.
steps, movements or course in walking or running.
to retrace one's steps.
a move, act, or proceeding, as toward some end or in the general course of some action; stage, measure, or period.
the five steps to success.
rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.
a support for the foot in ascending or descending.
a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.
a very short distance.
She was never more than a step away from her children.
a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.
Music.
a degree of the staff or of the scale.
the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second.
British. steps, a stepladder.
an offset part of anything.
Nautical. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.
Mining. a flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.
to move, go, etc., by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, or by using the feet alternately in this manner.
to step forward.
to walk, or go on foot, especially for a few strides or a short distance.
Step over to the bar.
to move with measured steps, as in a dance.
to go briskly or fast, as a horse.
to obtain, find, win, come upon, etc., something easily and naturally, as if by a mere step of the foot.
to step into a good business opportunity.
to put the foot down; tread by intention or accident.
to step on a cat's tail.
to press with the foot, as on a lever, spring, or the like, in order to operate some mechanism.
to take (a step, pace, stride, etc.).
to go through or perform the steps of (a dance).
to move or set (the foot) in taking a step.
to measure (a distance, ground, etc.) by steps (sometimes followed by off orout ).
to make or arrange in the manner of a series of steps.
Nautical. to fix (a mast) in its step.
step in to become involved; intervene, as in a quarrel or fight.
The brawl was well under way by the time the police stepped in.
step out
to leave a place, especially for a brief period of time.
to walk or march at a more rapid pace.
to go out to a social gathering or on a date.
We're stepping out tonight.
step up
to raise or increase by degrees.
to step up production.
to be promoted; advance.
to make progress; improve.
step down
to lower or decrease by degrees.
to relinquish one's authority or control; resign.
Although he was past retirement age, he refused to step down and let his son take over the business.
keep step, to keep pace; stay in step.
The construction of classrooms and the training of teachers have not kept step with population growth.
watch one's step, to proceed with caution; behave prudently.
If she doesn't watch her step, she will be fired from her job.
out of step,
not in time to a rhythm or corresponding to the step of others.
not in harmony or conformity with.
They are out of step with the others in their group.
step on it, to hasten one's activity or steps; hurry up.
If we don't step on it, we'll miss the show.
in step,
moving in time to a rhythm or with the corresponding step of others.
in harmony or conformity with.
They are not in step with the times.
step by step,
from one stage to the next in sequence.
gradually and steadily.
We were shown the steelmaking process step by step.
take steps, to set about putting something into operation; begin to act.
I will take steps to see that your application is processed.
break step, to interrupt or cease walking or marching in step.
The marching units were allowed to break step after they had passed the reviewing stand.
the act of motion brought about by raising the foot and setting it down again in coordination with the transference of the weight of the body
the distance or space covered by such a motion
the sound made by such a movement
the impression made by such movement of the foot; footprint
the manner of walking or moving the feet; gait
he received his prize with a proud step
a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance or part of a dance
I have mastered the steps of the waltz
any of several paces or rhythmic movements in marching, dancing, etc
the goose step
(plural) a course followed by a person in walking or as walking
they followed in their leader's steps
one of a sequence of separate consecutive stages in the progression towards some goal
another step towards socialism
a rank or grade in a series or scale
he was always a step behind
an object or device that offers support for the foot when ascending or descending
(plural) a flight of stairs, esp out of doors
(plural) another name for stepladder
a very short easily walked distance
it is only a step to my place
music a melodic interval of a second See whole tone half-step
an offset or change in the level of a surface similar to the step of a stair
a strong block or frame bolted onto the keel of a vessel and fitted to receive the base of a mast
a ledge cut in mining or quarrying excavations
to cease to march in step
marching, dancing, etc, in conformity with a specified pace or moving in unison with others
informal in agreement or harmony
to remain walking, marching, dancing, etc, in unison or in a specified rhythm
not moving in conformity with a specified pace or in accordance with others
informal not in agreement; out of harmony
with care and deliberation; gradually
to undertake measures (to do something) with a view to the attainment of some end
informal to conduct oneself with caution and good behaviour
to walk or move carefully
(intr) to move by raising the foot and then setting it down in a different position, transferring the weight of the body to this foot and repeating the process with the other foot
(intr; often foll by in, out, etc) to move or go on foot, esp for a short distance
step this way, ladies
informal (intr) to move, often in an attractive graceful manner, as in dancing
he can really step around
(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to place or press the foot; tread
to step on the accelerator
to enter (into a situation) apparently with ease
she stepped into a life of luxury
(tr) to walk or take (a number of paces, etc)
to step ten paces
(tr) to perform the steps of
they step the tango well
(tr) to set or place (the foot)
(tr; usually foll by off or out) to measure (some distance of ground) by stepping
(tr) to arrange in or supply with a series of steps so as to avoid coincidence or symmetry
(tr) to raise (a mast) and fit it into its step
What does step- mean? Step- is a prefix denoting family members by remarriage rather than blood. It is occasionally used in kinship terms. Step- comes from Old English stēop-, of the same meaning above, and is not related to the verb step, with the sense “to go by lifting the foot.” In Old English, stéopbearn means "orphan" and is connected to the verb āstēpan, meaning "to bereave." Essentially, in Old English, a stepfather is one who has become a father to an orphan.
First recorded before 900; (for the verb) Middle English steppen, Old English steppan; cognate with Old High German stepfen; akin to stamp; (for the noun) Middle English; Old English stepe
Middle English; Old English stēop-; cognate with German stief-, Old Norse stjūp- step-; akin to Old English āstēpan to bereave, bestēpan to deprive (of children)
Step right up and learn about the word step, which can be a noun or a verb. When you lift up your foot, move it forward, and put it down, that's a step. You can call the distance you cover in that single movement a step as well. Each movement in a dance is a step, and so is the sound of feet on the floor: "I heard his heavy step when he went for his midnight snack." A step is also a stair or a ladder's rung, and when you achieve something or make progress, you take steps toward your goal. If you're about to step in gum, your friend might warn, "Watch your step!"
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Every step had to be performed under strictly oxygen-free conditions because oxygen can permanently damage nitrogenase metallocofactors.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026
Santillo said the recycling of fridges and freezers was a national issue and he urged the UK government to "step in and find a solution".
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
One person close to him believed the time Buffett spent at home recuperating gave him an opportunity to contemplate the company’s future and the decision about when to step down.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
“Today was a step in the right direction,” said Glasnow, the formerHart High School star, before leaving the clubhouse in flip-flops.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
I take a step back and bump into the dog, who lurches away and disappears around the corner of the building.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
She is survived by her stepsons, Carl and Peter D’Angio, and several step-grandchildren and step- great-grandchildren.
From New York Times ● Sep. 30, 2022
“And sort of a step- whatever for Mike’s children — friend, I guess.”
From Washington Post ● Feb. 5, 2020
Maybe think of it this way: As a gesture to your wife, an exemplary mother, step- or otherwise, can you go the extra mile to repair this rift before it turns to rot?
From Slate ● Dec. 17, 2019
Someday he might untie the knots of those prefixes that labelled Lovey, ex- and step-.
From The New Yorker ● Dec. 30, 2013
She worked out the method step- by-step, taught it to George, and wrote detailed instructions for the many other researchers who wanted to learn it.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
Step 2, 3 and 4 are bigger ones:
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
WSJ | Buy Side: Step up your style with these luxe lace-ups, sleek slip-ons and more fashion sneakers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Step one foot forward, placing the heel down and toes down without shifting weight.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
On its website, however, Crystal River still is providing information on the Step Up scholarship for parents while inviting students to enroll for next school year.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
“Halsey found a trunk of cool clothes in our room,” Two Step confided, finally back in his normal voice.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
Uribe enrolled her parents on the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
The State Department generally advises U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico, and other international destinations, to register themselves with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026
Enter STEP, which aims to be just that: a prototype plant that produces net electricity.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 5, 2023
“If I’d not been registered in STEP, they would not have known I was in Cuba.”
From Washington Post ● Feb. 16, 2022
Step by Step Judged as a story pure and simple, "STEP BY STEP" is altogether delightful.
From The Highgrader by D. C. Hutchison
Those steps become much harder when laboratory resources are limited.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
Yet he also seemed reluctant to take the necessary steps.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste posted a statement Sunday on Instagram apologizing for “the recent events in China” and indicating that the competition has taken unspecified steps to prevent another such occurrence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Unifor president Lana Payne said union officials are weighing their next steps, as the current labor deal with Stellantis expires on Sept. 20.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Gran steps toward me, her rheumatoid-ridden finger pointed at my chest.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Into the breach stepped Ashkan Karbasfrooshan, a Montreal technology entrepreneur and founder of Watch Mojo, a pop culture brand with 26 million subscribers on YouTube.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
Warren Buffett has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, handing over leadership to his son Howard in the final chapter of a long-planned transition at the US business giant.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Hayden shared examples of how the personal-shopping service has stepped up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Abbott has stepped into the void, at times running more aggressively against Talarico than his own opponent, Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
Finally, he straightened up, tugging at the hem of his waistcoat as he stepped toward the door.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Side-eyeing the people responsible for the problem while dutifully stepping out of their way solves that tricky equation.
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026
Some states are stepping in to address the issue.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
Matan Segal directed Kick It Out Israel, an anti-discrimination initiative with similar aims but no link to the English organisation of the same name, for almost four years before stepping down a few months ago.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
By December, the company announced that CEO Calvin McDonald was stepping down.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
"With Rowan bleeding. Rowan, I cannot forgive myself for stepping aside and leaving you to be struck. I was taken by surprise."
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
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.
