footstep

noun

foot·​step ˈfu̇t-ˌstep 

1

: the mark of the foot : track

2

a

: tread

b

: distance covered by a step : pace

3

: a step on which to ascend or descend

4

: a way of life, conduct, or action

followed in their father's footsteps

Synonyms of footstep

• footprint
• step

Examples of footstep in a Sentence

She slowly took one footstep toward the frightened animal.

It's five footsteps from the bedroom to the bathroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Terry, Julie and Deana, whom Jennings shared with first wife Maxine Lawrence, died in 2019, 2014 and 2015, respectively, while Jenni and Shooter followed in their father’s singing footsteps, with Shooter winning four Grammy Awards. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Amelia Dimoldenberg, creator of Chicken Shop Date, which launches its final season next week, follows in the footsteps of Jeff Goldblum and Jamie Demetriou to host this week. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026

Over the last three centuries, there have been reports of strange music and disembodied voices and footsteps. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Two generations have followed in its footsteps, launched in 2004 and then 2016. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for footstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• instep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep
• step

Kids Definition

footstep

noun

foot·​step -ˌstep 

1

a

: a step of the foot

b

: the distance covered by a step : pace

2

a

: the mark of the foot

b

: the sound of a footstep

3

: a step on which to go up or down