Step definition
To put or set (the foot) down.
Step foot on land.
verb
(nautical) To place (a mast) in its step.
verb
To move by executing a step or steps.
verb
To put or press the foot.
Step on the brake.
verb
To measure by pacing.
Step off ten yards.
verb
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(computers) To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.
verb
One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance.
Diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.
noun
To furnish with steps; make steps in.
Terraces that are stepped along the hillside.
verb
A rest for the foot in climbing.
- Any of the parts of a stairway formed by a tread supported by a riser.
- The tread itself.
noun
Related through the remarriage of a parent.
Stepchild, stepparent.
affix
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A very short distance.
Just a step away.
noun
The definition of a step is the act of placing one foot in front of the other, or one part of a process.
An example of a step is one stair in a staircase.
An example of a step is the first part in a scientific experiment.
noun
To step is defined as to move by foot.
An example of to step is to place a foot on a path.
verb
A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale.
A step up in the corporate hierarchy.
noun
The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.
noun
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A manner of walking; a particular gait.
noun
A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching.
Keep step.
noun
The sound of a footstep.
noun
A footprint.
Steps in the mud.
noun
The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.
noun
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Course; path.
Turned her steps toward home.
noun
A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.
noun
Stairs.
noun
Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.
noun
A low platform used for exercise, as in step aerobics.
noun
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One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.
noun
A stage in a process.
Followed every step in the instructions.
noun
The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.
noun
A degree of a scale.
noun
To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two.
Step back.
verb
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To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction.
Step over to the corner.
verb
The interval between two consecutive degrees.
noun
To measure by taking steps.
Step off ten paces.
verb
(nautical) The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.
noun
To move with the feet in a particular manner.
Step lively.
verb
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To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step.
Stepping into a life of ease.
verb
To treat someone with arrogant indifference.
He is always stepping on other people.
verb
The act of moving and placing the foot forward, backward, sideways, up, or down, as in walking, dancing, or climbing.
noun
A short distance.
noun
The sound of stepping; tread; footfall.
noun
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A mark or impression made by stepping; footprint.
noun
Something resembling a stair step.
- A bend or angle, as in a supply pipe, for passing around an obstruction.
- A shelf or ledge cut in mining or quarrying.
- (naut.) A raised frame or platform for supporting the butt end of a mast.
- Any of a series of angled surfaces on the underside of the hull of a hydroplane or seaplane.
noun
A degree; rank; level; stage.
One step nearer victory.
noun
Any of a series of acts, processes, etc.
Explain the next step.
noun
The distance covered by such a movement.
noun
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The path covered by a series of such movements.
To retrace one's steps.
noun
A manner of stepping; gait.
noun
Any of various paces or strides in marching.
The goose step.
noun
A sequence of movements in dancing, usually repeated in a set pattern.
noun
A stairway.
noun
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(brit.) A stepladder.
noun
A degree of the staff or scale.
noun
To walk, esp. a short distance.
Step outside.
verb
To move with measured steps, as in dancing.
verb
To move quickly or briskly.
verb
To come or enter (into a situation, condition, etc.)
To step into a fortune.
verb
To put the foot down (on or in something)
verb
To press down with the foot (on something)
To step on the brake.
verb
To take (one or more strides or paces)
verb
To execute the steps of (a dance)
verb
To provide with steps; specif., to arrange in a series of degrees or grades.
To step tests.
verb
(naut.) To set and fix (a mast) in its step.
verb
To set (the foot) down.
verb
To move across or over on foot.
verb
(intransitive) To move the foot in walking; to advance or recede by raising and moving one of the feet to another resting place, or by moving both feet in succession.
verb
(intransitive) To walk; to go on foot; especially, to walk a little distance.
To step to one of the neighbors.
verb
(intransitive) To walk slowly, gravely, or resolutely.
verb
(intransitive, figuratively) To move mentally; to go in imagination.
verb
To set, as the foot.
verb
A running board where passengers step to get on and off the bus.
The driver must have a clear view of the step in order to prevent accidents.
noun
The space passed over by one movement of the foot in walking or running. Used also figuratively of any kind of progress.
One step is generally about three feet, but may be more or less. He improved step by step, or by steps.
noun
Proceeding; measure; action; act.
noun
(plural): A portable framework of stairs, much used indoors in reaching to a high position.
noun
(nautical) A framing in wood or iron which is intended to receive an upright shaft; specif., a block of wood, or a solid platform upon the keelson, supporting the heel of the mast.
noun
(machines) One of a series of offsets, or parts, resembling the steps of stairs, as one of the series of parts of a cone pulley on which the belt runs.
noun
(machines) A bearing in which the lower extremity of a spindle or a vertical shaft revolves.
noun
(kinematics) A change of position effected by a motion of translation. - William Kingdon Clifford.
noun
A prefix used before father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, child, and so forth, to indicate that the person being identified is not a blood relative but is related through the marriage of a parent.
prefix
Related by means of a remarriage rather than by blood.
Stepparent.
prefix
in step
- Moving in rhythm.
- In conformity with one's environment:In step with the times.
idiom
out of step
- Not moving in rhythm:Recruits marching out of step.
- Not in conformity with one's environment:Out of step with the times.
idiom
step by step
- By degrees.
idiom
(informal) step on it
- To go faster; hurry.
idiom
break step
- to stop marching in cadence
idiom
in step
- conforming to a rhythm or cadence as in marching or dancing; esp., conforming to the cadence of another marcher or other marchers
- in conformity or agreement
idiom
keep step
- to stay in step
idiom
out of step
- not in step
idiom
step by step
- gradually or slowly
- by marking or noting, or by explaining, each stage in a process
idiom
step down
- to resign or abdicate (from an office, position, etc.)
- to decrease or reduce, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees
idiom
step in
- to intervene
idiom
step it
- to dance
idiom
step on it
- to go faster; hurry; hasten
idiom
step out
- to leave a room or building for a short time
- to start to walk briskly, esp. with long strides
- to go out for a good time
- to be unfaithful to
idiom
step up
- to go or come near; approach
- to advance or progress
- to increase or raise, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees
- step up to the plate (see phrase below)
idiom
step up to the plate
- to take one's position in the batter's box
- to meet one's responsibility or challenge; rise to the occasion
idiom
take steps
- to adopt certain means or measures in order to facilitate, hinder, or modify something
idiom
watch one's step
- to exercise care in walking or stepping
- to be careful or cautious
idiom
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Origin of step
-
From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition
- Middle English from Old English stæpe, stepe
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- Middle English from Old English stēop-
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English steppen, from Old English steppan (“to step, go, proceed, advance"), stepe (“step"), from Proto-Germanic *stapjanÄ… (“to step"), *stapiz (“step"), from Proto-Indo-European *stÁb-, *stÁbÊ°-, *stemb-, *stembÊ°- (“to support, stomp, curse, be amazed"). Cognate with West Frisian stappe (“to step"), North Frisian stape (“to walk, trudge"), Dutch stappen (“to step, walk"), German stapfen (“to trudge, stomp, plod"). Related to stamp, stomp.
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English step-, from Old English stÄ“op- (“deprived of a relative, step-", prefix), from Proto-Germanic *steupa- (“orphaned, step-"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teup- (“to push, strike"). Cognate with Scots step- (“step-"), West Frisian stiep- (“step-"), Dutch stief- (“step-"), Low German steef- (“step-"), German stief- (“step-"), Swedish styv- (“step-"), Icelandic stjúp- (“step-"). Related to Old English stÄ«epan (“to deprive, bereave").
From Wiktionary