Jump To:

• 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.

---

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

---

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]

---

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

“The step-up in attacks on ships highlights how the current equilibrium in the oil market is fragile and could easily be shattered,” said Hamad Hussain, a senior economist at Capital Economics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

There's plenty of scope for Indian farmers to step-up production.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

The fact that your mother gave you the property doesn’t, in itself, prevent you from transferring it back to her and receiving a step-up in basis when she dies.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

If your mother gave you the house in 2016 and you transfer it back to her in 2026, the fact that 10 years have passed does not by itself prevent a future step-up.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

Similarly, the word "booster" is now used for a step-up or voltage-raising transformer or dynamo, inserted in series with an electric supply main.

From Hertzian Wave Wireless Telegraphy by John Ambrose Fleming

Whether it will arouse the consciences of enough to truly step up and stop this breach of trust is unknown.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

The selloff overshadowed a drop in oil prices that came even as Yemen's Houthis step up their attacks on Saudi Arabia, fanning tensions in the Middle East and raising further concerns about supplies.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

Me and a few others questioned whether he could make the step up, but I think against Newcastle he proved that he can.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

That would be a significant step up from the $130 billion to $145 billion in capex that Meta projects for 2026.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

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

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

This can include lifting weights such as dumbbells, using gym machines or resistance bands, or using your own body weight in exercises such as squats, step-ups or press-ups.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

“We expect significant step-ups in paid subscription adoption given increasingly robust tools behind a pay wall.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---