steppingstone

[ step-ing-stohn ]

/ ˈstɛp ɪŋˌstoʊn /

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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.

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Origin of steppingstone

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325

Words nearby steppingstone

stepped-up, Steppenwolf, stepper, Steppes, stepping-off place, steppingstone, step rocket, stepsibling, stepsister, stepson, stepstool

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use steppingstone in a sentence

He spoke of all the good he would do after he used this military steppingstone to get into medical school.
The Few, the Proud, the Suicidal|Eugene Robinson|May 31, 2021|Ozy
He’s not in it for the ego or for recognition or any kind of steppingstone or some personal development goal.
After half a century in public life, Kerry gets one more shot|Matt Viser, Brady Dennis|April 21, 2021|Washington Post
Yet, scientists say, those failures are often crucial steppingstones toward a better understanding of the disease and eventual treatments.
Science Might Finally Have a Fix for This Rare Blood Disorder|Nick Fouriezos|December 15, 2020|Ozy
Besides being a steppingstone to diabetes, prediabetes raises a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke.
For those with prediabetes, dropping four to six pounds can cut the risk of getting diabetes|Linda Searing|November 23, 2020|Washington Post

The there-and-back-again mission was a crucial steppingstone for the company on its path to sending a manned craft into the ether.
11 Cool Facts About SpaceX: Dragon, Microsoft, Investments & More|Matthew DeLuca|May 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
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 Simpleton|Charles Reade

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