stepping stone

noun

variants or less commonly stepping-stone
plural stepping stones also stepping-stones
1
: a stone on which to step (as in crossing a stream or following a path)
We filled our water bottles in a large, clear lake set in smooth granite, crossed a stream using stepping stones, and started up a winding path that rose to a series of switchbacks.Joshua Rothman
As in a Japanese garden, where stepping-stones force you to savor your stroll, you must watch every step and wind your way around the Japanese pines and beach grasses.Stephen Drucker
2
: a means of progress or advancement
a stepping stone to success
But now many more see a political job as a stepping stone to money, power and influence.Barbara Gamarekian
Each person I talked to was to be a stepping-stone to the overall plan. It was my job to educate them so they would take their natural places in the plan.Jane Smiley

Examples of stepping stone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Death Takes Me appears to have been a stepping stone to a more explicitly political confrontation with violence—one that refuses resignation and demands justice. Nicolás Medina Mora, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2025 Written by Thomas Lee, CEO at First Place for Youth For many young adults, attending community college is a stepping stone to a brighter future. First Place For Youth, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Ultimately, the work is a stepping stone to that next thing. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025 So, the real trick to making a temporary reset meaningful—and not just a stepping stone to a real breakup? Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Feb. 2025 Still, the chimp's contribution to space research is regarded today as a vital stepping stone in what would be extremely rapid development within the U.S. space program. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 The key factor will be how clearly the administration communicates its long-term vision for DOGE and whether this is a stepping stone to a permanent appointment or just a temporary fix. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 Last year, just 7% of executives left a job within six months—a number inflated by the 12% turnover rate of COOs, which the study says could signify the role’s prominence as a stepping stone to CEO. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 The agency is working to get astronauts to the moon via its Artemis program, viewing Earth's nearest neighbor as a stepping stone to the Red Planet. Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stepping stone was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Stepping stone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepping%20stone. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

stepping-stone

noun
step·​ping-stone
ˈstep-iŋ-ˌstōn
1
: a stone on which to step (as in crossing a stream)
2
: something aiding in progress or advancement
a stepping-stone to success
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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