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

Other Architecture Terms

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

Rhymes with STEP

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

²step

verb

steppedstep·ping

Definition of STEP

intransitive verb

1

a : to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession

b : dance

2

a : to go on foot : walk

b obsolete : advance, proceed

c : to be on one's way : leave —often used with along

d : to move briskly <kept us stepping>

3

: to press down with the foot <step on the brake>

4

: to come as if at a single step <stepped into a good job>

transitive verb

1

: to take by moving the feet in succession <step three paces>

2

a : to move (the foot) in any direction : set <the first man to step foot on the moon>

b : to traverse on foot

3

: to go through the steps of : perform <step a minuet>

4

: to make erect by fixing the lower end in a step <step the mast>

5

: to measure by steps <step off 50 yards>

6

a : to provide with steps

b : to make steps in <step a key>

7

: to construct or arrange in or as if in steps <craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides — Time>

— step on it

: to increase one's speed : hurry up

Examples of STEP

1. She stepped onto the bus.
2. They stepped aside to let her pass.
3. Please step away from the door.
4. He stepped outside for a moment.
5. Step in my office for a minute.

First Known Use of STEP

before 12th century

Related to STEP

Synonyms

ambulate, foot (it), hoof (it), leg (it), pad, walk, traipse, tread

Antonyms

crawl, creep, poke

Related Words

parade, promenade; march, pace, step out, stride, troop; power walk; hike, peregrinate, trek; amble, mosey, perambulate, ramble, saunter, stroll, wander; clump, stomp, stump, tramp, trample, tromp; footslog, plod, trudge; gimp, hobble, limp; mince, prance, pussyfoot, tiptoe; bounce, sashay, stalk, strut, swagger; falter, lumber, lurch, pound, scuff, shamble, shuffle, stagger, stumble, toddle, waddle; nip, tap, trip, trot

Near Antonyms

dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, poke, tarry; amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll; decelerate, slow (down or up)