step

¹step

noun \ˈstep\

Definition of STEP

1

: a rest for the foot in ascending or descending: as a : one of a series of structures consisting of a riser and a tread b : a ladder rung

2

a (1) : an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere (2) : a combination of foot or foot and body movements constituting a unit or a repeated pattern <a dance step> (3) : manner of walking : stride b : footprint 1 c : the sound of a footstep

3

a : the space passed over in one step b : a short distance c : the height of one stair

4

plural : course, way <directed his steps toward the river>

5

a : a degree, grade, or rank in a scale b : a stage in a process <was guided through every step of my career>

6

: a frame on a ship designed to receive an upright shaft; especially : a block supporting the heel of a mast

7

: an action, proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series <taking steps to improve the situation>

8

: a steplike offset or part usually occurring in a series

9

: an interval in a musical scale

10

: step aerobics

11

: a slight lead in or as if in a race <has a step on the competition>

— step·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— stepped \ˈstept\ adjective

— in step

1

: with each foot moving to the same time as the corresponding foot of others or in time to music

2

: in harmony or agreement

— out of step

: not in step <out of step with the times>

Examples of STEP

1. She took one step forward.
2. The baby took her first steps today.
3. I heard steps on the stairs.
4. The edge of the cliff was only about three steps to my left.
5. The cottage is just steps from the beach.
6. He walks with a spring in his step.
7. She walked down the hall with a quick step.
8. a major step towards independence
9. We are taking steps to correct the situation.

Origin of STEP

Middle English, from Old English stæpe; akin to Old High German stapfo step, stampfōn to stamp

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STEP

Synonyms: expedient, means, move, shift, measure

Antonyms: country mile, long haul, mile

Related Words: act, action, deed, doing, feat, thing; course, procedure, proceeding, process; accomplishment, achievement, attainment, coup, exploit, success, triumph; activity, affair, business, dealing, enterprise, event; attempt, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, initiative, operation, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, undertaking, whack; effort, exertion, labor, pains, trouble, while, work; project, proposal, proposition; makeshift, resort, resource, stopgap; countermeasure, countermove, counterstep

Near Antonyms: infinity, light-year

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

Rhymes with STEP

hep, pep, prep, rep, skep, steppe, strep, yep