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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

In most inheritances, however, step-up in basis is actually the default, not the exception.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

The step-up is not created by naming a beneficiary, but related to estate-inclusion rules.

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

That is a lucrative step-up from registered nurses, who make an average $98,000, but also far below the $257,000 average for primary-care doctors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

The current is derived directly from the engine, and the remaining things needed are a small step-up transformer, a key and a few other small parts.

From Tom Swift and His Wireless Message: or, the castaways of Earthquake island by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]

Related Words

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