step-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈstep-ˌin 

: an article of clothing put on by being stepped into: such as

a

: a shoe resembling but usually having a higher vamp than a pump and having concealed elastic to adjust the fit

b

: short panties for women

—usually used in plural

step-in adjective

step in

2 of 2

verb

stepped in; stepping in; steps in

intransitive verb

1

a

: to intervene in an affair or dispute

b

: to act as a replacement

2

: to make a brief informal visit

Synonyms

Verb

• call
• come by
• come over
• drop by
• drop in
• pop (in)
• run (over)
• run in
• stop (by or in)
• visit

Examples of step-in in a Sentence

Verb

I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class.

couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The eventual result was NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle’s appointment of George Young as the Giants’ first true general manager, a step-in that helped turn around the lost franchise. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024

And players make step-in 3s at a notably higher rate than off the dribble or running off a screen. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

Verb

Spaces represent the steps in catching, slaughtering and preparing a goose for the festive table, and pitfalls—like a jail, a tavern or death—could lose a player a turn or two, or return them to the start. —John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

But if there is any kind of revolt from Johnson’s conservative detractors during the Jan. 3 Speaker vote, no Democrats will step in to save him, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) warned on Wednesday. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

step-in

noun

-ˌin

: an article of clothing (as a dress or shoes) that can be put on by being stepped into