step-down

American  

[step-doun] / ˈstɛpˌdaʊn /

adjective

Electricity.

1. serving to reduce or decrease voltage.

   a step-down transformer.

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step down British  

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

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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

noun

1. informal a decrease in quantity or size

step down Idioms  

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

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

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Etymology

Origin of step-down

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

Example Sentences

Dodsworth says these "step-down" facilities can help patients get back on to their feet while not taking up a hospital bed.

From BBC

When announcing his step-down from public commitments earlier on Monday, he said he would continue his teaching commitments.

From BBC

The first choice, a step-down facility with enhanced services for those leaving locked care, was quickly ruled out.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, among a series of funding packages, the NHS was given £200m to create "step-down" wards for those awaiting a care package to start or for home adaptions to be made.

From BBC

It was her fourth such stay, and the first one the county had agreed should be followed by a step-down program, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandon
• abdicate
• bow out
• drop out
• leave
• quit
• retire
• terminate