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The definition of a step is the act of placing one foot in front of the other, or one part of a process.

(noun)

An example of a step is one stair in a staircase.
An example of a step is the first part in a scientific experiment.

To step is defined as to move by foot.

(verb)

An example of to step is to place a foot on a path.

See step in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act of moving and placing the foot forward, backward, sideways, up, or down, as in walking, dancing, or climbing
the distance covered by such a movement
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
the sound of stepping; tread; footfall
a mark or impression made by stepping; footprint
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
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
a degree; rank; level; stage: one step nearer victory
any of a series of acts, processes, etc.: explain the next step
Music
1. a degree of the staff or scale
2. the interval between two consecutive degrees

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

intransitive verb stepped, stepping

to move by executing a step or steps
to walk, esp. a short distance: step outside
to move with measured steps, as in dancing
to move quickly or briskly: often with along
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

Origin: ME steppen < OE steppan

transitive verb

to take (one or more strides or paces)
1. to set (the foot) down
2. to move across or over on foot
to execute the steps of (a dance)
to measure by taking steps: usually with off: step off ten paces
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
Naut. to set and fix (a mast) in its step

related through the remarriage of a parent: stepchild, stepparent

Origin: ME < OE steop-, orphaned (akin to Ger stief-, ON stjup-) < base of stiepan, to bereave, prob. < IE *(s)teub-, to strike (hence “cut off”) > stump, steep: orig. used of orphaned children

See step in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.
b. A manner of walking; a particular gait.
c. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step.
d. The sound of a footstep.
e. A footprint: steps in the mud.
a. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.
b. A very short distance: just a step away.
c. steps Course; path: turned her steps toward home.
One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.
a. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.
b. steps Stairs.
c. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.
a. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.
b. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions.
A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy.
Music
a. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.
b. A degree of a scale.
Nautical The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.

verb stepped stepped, step·ping, steps

verb, intransitive

To put or press the foot: step on the brake.
To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back.
To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner.
To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively.
To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease.
To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people.

verb, transitive

To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land.
To measure by pacing: step off ten yards.
To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside.
Computer Science To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.
Nautical To place (a mast) in its step.

Phrasal Verbs: step aside To resign from a post, especially when being replaced. step down To resign from a high post. To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power. step in To enter into an activity or a situation. To intervene. step out To walk briskly. To go outside for a short time. Informal To go out for a special evening of entertainment. To withdraw; quit. step up To increase, especially in stages: step up production. To come forward: step up and be counted. To improve one's performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English stǽpe, stepe

prefix

Related by means of a remarriage rather than by blood: stepparent.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English stēop-

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