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.
Japanese authorities have found themselves having to step into markets again and again to prop up the yen, this time with assistance from the U.S. government.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
“Practices that discriminate against people who are not married are increasingly out of step with how we live now,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Each stage of that process will incur expenses such as transport and storage, and rising costs at any step could end up in the product you buy being more expensive.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
That said, ownership of BP’s historical failings is a good step forward for the investment case, and we look to the call for more clarity on the financial framework and tangible plans ahead.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
I step backward on the stoop, hand involuntarily moving to my heart.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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
The different Nationalist groups, the “Buy Black!” forces, and others like that; dozens of their step- ladder orators were trying to increase their followings.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
There’s a critical difference between Erle and Lee’s early-graduation journeys, according to Beth Hendler-Grunt, founder and president of career-coaching firm Next Great Step.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 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
Step Up said it follows statutory requirements in administering funds and reports “any complaints or reports of fraud” to the state education department.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
Philipsen won stage 17 and fellow Belgian Tim Merlier of Soudal-Quick Step won three bunch sprint stages.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Two Step ran up to them as they passed beneath Mr. Calloway’s boots.
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
Next year, the government will take another step forward, by announcing where it will locate STEP, a prototype fusion power plant, designed to be running by 2040.
From BBC ● Dec. 16, 2021
Step by Step Judged as a story pure and simple, "STEP BY STEP" is altogether delightful.
From The Highgrader by Hutchison, D. C.
"Retailers are experienced in managing supply disruptions and will take all necessary steps, including sourcing from alternative suppliers where appropriate, to minimise any impact on customers."
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
But now there is a plan, not just a bunch of ifs and hopes, even if the Angels might have to take another step back to take two steps forward.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
In a statement he also welcomed Suu Kyi's Red Cross meeting, hoping that authorities "will undertake further positive steps towards lasting peace and stability in Myanmar".
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
And we set out to retrace the steps of investigators from the moment they arrived at Nancy’s adobe-brick ranch where she was abducted on Feb. 1.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
I stride past him and up the steps.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
I had stepped back from the friendship because of the turmoil surrounding that relationship, but I was still curious.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
She replaced Murray Auchincloss, who stepped down after less than two years at the helm.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
She had only recently stepped back on court wearing a protective boot.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
But two years later, he stepped down from the bench and joined Young’s defense team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
I stepped to the desk, steadying myself against it.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Following the story, Redzepi announced on Instagram that he’d be stepping down from the company.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Ariana Grande delivered a four-minute speech to more than 20,000 of her fans in Chicago on Monday night amid reports that she’s stepping away from the public eye due to online scrutiny.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
That agreement was not intended as a final peace deal, but as a stepping stone to negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, though it did include provisions on Hormuz.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
The Games' differing relevance between sports was again clear - for netball, this remains the pinnacle and is treated as such; for others, it is a stepping stone.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, stepping aside and finally allowing me to leave the dismal hallway and enter her room.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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.
