steppingstone
[step-ing-stohn]
- a stone, or one of a line of stones, in shallow water, a marshy place, or the like, that is stepped on in crossing.
- a stone for use in mounting or ascending.
- any means or stage of advancement or improvement: She looked on the governorship as a steppingstone to the presidency.
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Origin of steppingstone
Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for steppingstone
Historical Examples
The ships going out of port were such a steppingstone to him, and a vague consciousness came back to him of having been in a ship.
A SimpletonCharles Reade