step-down

[ step-doun ]

/ ˈstɛpˌdaʊn /

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adjective Electricity.

serving to reduce or decrease voltage: a step-down transformer.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of step-down

First recorded in 1890–95; adj. use of verb phrase step down

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use step-down in a sentence

On the morning of November 25, Regan advised Poindexter to be prepared to step down as national security advisor.
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations|Malcolm Byrne|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The elders recommended that Driscoll step down as preaching pastor and only return when the elders believed he was ready.
Megachurch Mars Hill To close Doors: What Does the Future Hold Now?|Warren Throckmorton|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The attorney general announced that he would step down from his post as soon as his successor is confirmed.
Eric Holder Exit Interview: Why He’ll Always Be an African American Icon|Joshua DuBois|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He said he would step down as leader in the fall but would continue to stand for election to the Scottish parliament.
Aaahm Ooot! SNP Leader Salmond Quits After Failed Vote|Nico Hines|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This month Maliki said he would step down and work with his successor to help form a new government.
U.S. and Iran Hit ISIS, Ignore Each Other|Eli Lake|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
If the mistress don't want the carriage to-day, I dessay I could step down 'bout five for half-an-hour or so, if that would suit.'
The Talking Horse|F. Anstey
The polite thing for him to do would be to step down on the shingles and walk around them, but does he do it?
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
Then, taking him to the top of one of their great houses, they bade him step down through an open trapdoor into a dark chamber.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber
You step down into the garage do you, or is it at the kitchen floor level?
Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for step-down

step down

verb (adverb)

(tr) to reduce gradually

(intr) informal to resign or abdicate (from a position)

(intr) informal to assume an inferior or less senior position

adjective step-down (prenominal)

(of a transformer) reducing a high voltage applied to the primary winding to a lower voltage on the secondary windingCompare step up

decreasing or falling by stages

noun step-down

informal a decrease in quantity or size

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with step-down

step down

Resign from office, as in He threatened to step down if they continued to argue with him. [Late 1800s]

Reduce, especially in stages, as in They were stepping down the voltage. [c. 1900] Also see step up, def. 1.