steppingstone
Americannoun
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a stone, or one of a line of stones, in shallow water, a marshy place, or the like, that is stepped on in crossing.
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a stone for use in mounting or ascending.
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any means or stage of advancement or improvement.
She looked on the governorship as a steppingstone to the presidency.
Etymology
Origin of steppingstone
Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325
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.
The round-of-16 defeat to the Netherlands in 2022 was viewed as a steppingstone to an even better result this go-round, especially when well-heeled donors helped pay to bring Pochettino aboard two years later.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
The program is also a steppingstone for students who want to pursue more advanced medical training, which Levine said Ballad would help pay for.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2025
Like Muniz, Breidinger sees the truck series, the third tier of NASCAR’s national racing series, as a steppingstone to a seat in a Cup car.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2025
The part-time work can also be a steppingstone toward a full-time position.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 5, 2024
I uncovered a single steppingstone, slightly worn, that led nowhere, yet lay as a subtle ap-pendage to the small rock garden.
From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
