footstep

noun

foot·​step ˈfu̇t-ˌstep 

1

: the mark of the foot : track

2

a

: tread

b

: distance covered by a step : pace

3

: a step on which to ascend or descend

4

: a way of life, conduct, or action

followed in his father's footsteps

Synonyms

• footmark
• footprint
• step
• trace
• vestige

Examples of footstep in a Sentence

She slowly took one footstep toward the frightened animal.

It's five footsteps from the bedroom to the bathroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

In October, Pittman had the opportunity to follow in his grandfather's airborne footsteps. —Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2025

While many of the commenters followed in Musk's footsteps by replying with their own laughing emojis, others were confused by what the exchange meant. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

Both my father and uncle would go on to follow in their parents’ artistic footsteps in different ways. —Amber Tamblyn, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025

The announcement prompted calls for the NCAA to follow in the international organization's footsteps. —Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for footstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• instep
• lockstep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

footstep

noun

foot·​step -ˌstep 

1

a

: a step of the foot

b

: the distance covered by a step : pace

2

a

: the mark of the foot

b

: the sound of a footstep

3

: a step on which to go up or down