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 their father's footsteps

Synonyms of footstep

• footprint
• step

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

The teenager is looking to follow in his father's footsteps, and counts Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde as his favorite guitarist. —Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

And while the circumstances of his birth may have been historic, Phillips’ education was traditional for the family, following in the footsteps of his uncle Charles and grandfather, Prince Philip, and cutting his teeth at Gordonstoun School in Scotland. —Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026

At the season three reunion for the Hulu hit, it was revealed that DadTok would be attending a luxury getaway on the third season of their sister series Vanderpump Villa, following in the footsteps of the women, who went on the show’s second installment. —Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026

His father, much older than his mom, was a preacher who wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. —Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026

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