stepping stone
Britishnoun
-
one of a series of stones acting as footrests for crossing streams, marshes, etc
-
a circumstance that assists progress towards some goal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In information published by Shein in July after a Hong Kong listing hearing— seen as a crucial stepping stone toward an IPO — the company addressed the so-called de minimis exemption.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Catherine Sezen, from the Association of Colleges, said the stepping stone qualification sounded positive, but that it should become an option for students long before they fail their GCSEs.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 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 former second-round pick is suddenly one of the Lakers’ primary summer league players and hopes to use the experience as an important stepping stone, building up his game while also establishing a leadership voice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026
But that was itself a mere stepping stone to greater things.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
