stepping

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
4. 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
8. 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

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

intransitive verb stepped, stepping

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
6. 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

1. to take (one or more strides or paces)
2. 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