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step definition

step (step)

noun

  1. the act of moving and placing the foot forward, backward, sideways, up, or down, as in walking, dancing, or climbing
  2. the distance covered by such a movement
  3. a short distance
    1. a manner of stepping; gait
    2. any of various paces or strides in marching the goose step
    3. a sequence of movements in dancing, usually repeated in a set pattern
  5. the sound of stepping; tread; footfall
  6. a mark or impression made by stepping; footprint
  7. a rest for the foot in climbing, as a stair or the rung of a ladder
    1. a flight of stairs
    2. Brit. a stepladder
  9. something resembling a stair step; specif.,
    1. a bend or angle, as in a supply pipe, for passing around an obstruction
    2. a shelf or ledge cut in mining or quarrying
    3. a raised frame or platform supporting the butt end of a mast
    4. any of a series of angled surfaces on the underside of the hull of a hydroplane or seaplane
  10. a degree; rank; level; stage one step nearer victory
  11. any of a series of acts, processes, etc. explain the next step
  12. Music
    1. a degree of the staff or scale
    2. the interval between two consecutive degrees

Etymology: ME steppe < OE stepe, akin to Ger stapf < IE base *steb(h)-, post (> stamp): basic sense “to stamp feet”

intransitive verb stepped, stepping step′·ping

  1. to move by executing a step or steps
  2. to walk, esp. a short distance step outside
  3. to move with measured steps, as in dancing
  4. to move quickly or briskly: often with along
  5. to come or enter (into a situation, condition, etc.) to step into a fortune
    1. to put the foot down (on or in something)
    2. to press down with the foot (on something) to step on the brake

Etymology: ME steppen < OE steppan

transitive verb

  1. to take (one or more strides or paces)
    1. to set (the foot) down
    2. to move across or over on foot
  3. to execute the steps of (a dance)
  4. to measure by taking steps: usually with off step off ten paces
  5. to provide with steps; specif.,
    1. to cut steps in (a slope, etc.)
    2. to arrange in a series of degrees or grades to step tests
  6. Naut. to set and fix (a mast) in its step
step Idioms

break step

to stop marching in cadence

in step

  1. conforming to a rhythm or cadence as in marching or dancing; esp., conforming to the cadence of another marcher or other marchers
  2. in conformity or agreement

keep step

to stay in step

out of step

not in step

step by step

  1. gradually or slowly
  2. by marking or noting, or by explaining, each stage in a process

step down

  1. ☆ to resign or abdicate (from an office, position, etc.)
  2. ☆ to decrease or reduce, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees

step in

to intervene

step it

to dance

step on it

Informal to go faster; hurry; hasten

step out

  1. to leave a room or building for a short time
  2. to start to walk briskly, esp. with long strides
  3. ☆ Informal to go out for a good time
  4. Informal to be unfaithful to: with on

step up

  1. to go or come near; approach
  2. to advance or progress
  3. ☆ to increase or raise, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees

take steps

to adopt certain means or measures in order to facilitate, hinder, or modify something

watch one's step

☆
  1. to exercise care in walking or stepping
  2. Informal to be careful or cautious

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