Dictionary.com

steppingstone

[ step-ing-stohn ]
/ ˈstɛp ɪŋˌstoʊn /
Save This Word!

noun
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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of steppingstone

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use steppingstone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for steppingstone

stepping stone

noun
one of a series of stones acting as footrests for crossing streams, marshes, etc
a circumstance that assists progress towards some goal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK