stepping stone

noun

variants or less commonly stepping-stone

ˈste-piŋ-ˌstōn 

plural stepping stones also stepping-stones

1

: a stone on which to step (as in crossing a stream or following a path)

We filled our water bottles in a large, clear lake set in smooth granite, crossed a stream using stepping stones, and started up a winding path that rose to a series of switchbacks.

—Joshua Rothman

As in a Japanese garden, where stepping-stones force you to savor your stroll, you must watch every step and wind your way around the Japanese pines and beach grasses.

—Stephen Drucker

2

: a means of progress or advancement

a stepping stone to success

But now many more see a political job as a stepping stone to money, power and influence.

—Barbara Gamarekian

Each person I talked to was to be a stepping-stone to the overall plan. It was my job to educate them so they would take their natural places in the plan.

—Jane Smiley

Examples of stepping stone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ability to reframe setbacks as stepping stones is a hallmark of the most inspiring leaders. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Scout team reps for practice-squad players and reserves serve as a stepping stone, proving ground or even stage acting for Chargers players at all phases of their careers. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Even at its worst, though, Smallville remained a crucial stepping stone for everything that came after it. —Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024

Millions of students across the United States recently took the PSAT — or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test — a key stepping stone in preparing for the SAT. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Oct. 2024

Remember, failure is just a stepping stone to success in STEM. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 13 Oct. 2024

Additionally, there's an underlying concern that these candidates might view the position merely as a temporary stepping stone, with intentions to either quickly move up or leave once a more suitable opportunity arises. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Officials and filmmakers were on hand Tuesday in Taipei to hail the Taiwan Creative Content Fest as a stepping stone for local and Asian creators to mount the world stage. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

Hush Night can be a stepping stone into actualizing the girls’ larger goals beyond the weekly event. —Nicholas Goodly, Them, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stepping-stone

noun

step·​ping-stone

ˈstep-iŋ-ˌstōn

1

: a stone on which to step (as in crossing a stream)

2

: something aiding in progress or advancement

a stepping-stone to success