doorstep

noun

door·​step ˈdȯr-ˌstep How to pronounce doorstep (audio)
: a step before an outer door
Phrases
on one's doorstep
: close at hand
especially : too close to be overlooked

Examples of doorstep in a Sentence

We sat on the doorstep. The police were at my doorstep.
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.
Sorry, babe, but that dookie is lying on your doorstep, too. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 The latter would impact 4 million households who currently get mail delivered to their doorstep. Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Sep. 2025 In early versions of the script, Alex actually played no part in Gladys’ second spell that brought the 17 schoolkids to his doorstep so that Gladys could try once more to fully recuperate. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 In what will likely be his final regular season start of 2025, Garrett Crochet delivered a masterpiece for the Red Sox, pitching eight scoreless innings to lead the club to a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays and putting his team on the doorstep of its first playoff appearance since 2021. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doorstep

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doorstep was in 1767

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doorstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doorstep. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

doorstep

noun
door·​step -ˌstep How to pronounce doorstep (audio)
: a step or series of steps before an outer door

More from Merriam-Webster on doorstep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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