baby step

noun

: a very small step or advance in progress

These companies can create products that take a real leap forward, rather than the traditional baby steps that larger companies with greater commitments must make.—

Home Theater

baby-step

ˈbā-bē-ˌstep

verb, transitive + intransitive

baby-stepped; baby-stepping

… after the 2-1 victory that baby-stepped the sixth-place Rangers within four points of the first-place Devils … —

Larry Brooks

"This is murder," John Chaney had said in that ever-raspy voice as he baby-stepped toward the court Thursday night. "My feet are killing me." —

Tom Archdeacon

Examples of baby step in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Friction point: Depending on your perspective, the recent work is either a beacon of hope or tiny baby steps at a time when the city ought to be moving by leaps and bounds. —

Nate Rau, Axios, 12 Aug. 2024 These competitions were marked by baby steps, and the researchers had little reason to think that 2020 would be any different. —

Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2024 These can be strong, so make sure to start with lower concentrations and gradually increase frequency to minimize potential irritation (baby steps!), and make sure to pack on plenty of sunscreen. —

Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 June 2024 For us, Inside Out 2 is a beautiful (albeit triggering) look back at shedding your childhood self as puberty arrives and taking those baby steps into young adulthood. —

Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for baby step

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baby step.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.