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View synonyms for step-down

step-down

[ step-doun ]

adjective

, Electricity.
  1. serving to reduce or decrease voltage:

    a step-down transformer.



step down

verb

  1. tr to reduce gradually
  2. informal.
    intr to resign or abdicate (from a position)
  3. informal.
    intr to assume an inferior or less senior position
“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


adjective

  1. (of a transformer) reducing a high voltage applied to the primary winding to a lower voltage on the secondary winding Compare step up
  2. decreasing or falling by stages
“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

noun

  1. 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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of step-down1

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

On the morning of November 25, Regan advised Poindexter to be prepared to step down as national security advisor.

The elders recommended that Driscoll step down as preaching pastor and only return when the elders believed he was ready.

The attorney general announced that he would step down from his post as soon as his successor is confirmed.

He said he would step down as leader in the fall but would continue to stand for election to the Scottish parliament.

This month Maliki said he would step down and work with his successor to help form a new government.

The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.

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 polite thing for him to do would be to step down on the shingles and walk around them, but does he do it?

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.

You step down into the garage do you, or is it at the kitchen floor level?

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