1
: a rest for the foot in ascending or descending: such as
a
: one of a series of structures consisting of a riser and a tread
b
: a ladder rung
2
a(1)
: an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere
(2)
: a combination of foot or foot and body movements constituting a unit or a repeated pattern
a dance step
(3)
: manner of walking : stride
c
: the sound of a footstep
3
a
: the space passed over in one step
b
: a short distance
c
: the height of one stair
5
a
: a degree, grade, or rank in a scale
b
: a stage in a process
was guided through every step of my career
6
: a frame on a ship designed to receive an upright shaft
especially
: a block supporting the heel of a mast
7
: an action, proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series
taking steps to improve the situation
8
: a steplike offset or part usually occurring in a series
9
: the interval between two adjacent notes in a musical scale
10
11
: a slight lead in or as if in a race
has a step on the competition
stepped; stepping; steps
1
a
: to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession
They stepped into the elevator.
She stepped inside and closed the door.
I'm sorry, but he just stepped outside for a moment.
When I call your name, please step forward.
She stepped up to the microphone.
I stepped up/down onto the landing.
He stepped back, startled.
Please step away from the moving doors.
They stepped aside to let the paramedics through.
We watched as the passengers stepped ashore.
b
: dance
Joyfully along the contra lines, the dancers held hands, listened to the caller, and stepped to the music …—Joan Donaldson
2
3
: to press down with the foot
step on the brake
4
: to come as if at a single step
stepped into a good job
5
: to extend by or as if by a stairstep
… the room steps down past a viewing area to a projection television screen hung from the ceiling.—Sunset
A wooden retaining wall—which holds the slope above the staircase—steps up in level sections.—Susan Lang
1
: to take (a pace, etc.) by moving the feet in succession
step three paces
2
a
: to move (the foot) in any direction : set
the first person to step foot on the moon
b
: to traverse (something) on foot
… proud … of stepping this famous pavement …—Virginia Woolf
3
: to go through the steps of (something) : perform
step a minuet
4
: to make (something) erect by fixing the lower end in a step
step the mast
5
: to measure (something) by steps
step off 50 yards
6
a
: to provide (something) with steps
He stepped the front of the stage down into the stalls and built a permanent cyclorama across the full width of the rear wall.—Colin Chambers
b
: to make steps in (something)
step a key
7
: to construct or arrange (something) in or as if in steps
… we looked down on an expanse of craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides …—Time
see also step on it, step up
: related by virtue of a marriage (as of a parent) and not by blood
stepparent
stepsister
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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