stairstep

1 of 3

noun

1

: a step in a flight of stairs

2

stairsteps plural : a flight of stairs

stairstep

2 of 3

intransitive verb

"

: to move up or down like the steps in a stairway

narrow streets stairstep up the slopes

—Geography School Bulletin

stair-step

3 of 3

adjective

: resembling the steps in a stairway

stair-step levels of terrain

especially : moving up or down like steps in a stairway

stair-step inflation

Word History

Etymology

Noun

stair + step

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!