in step

1 of 2

phrase

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

instep

2 of 2

noun

in·​step ˈin-ˌstep 

1

: the arched middle portion of the human foot in front of the ankle joint

especially : its upper surface

2

: the part of a shoe or stocking that fits over the instep

Illustration of instep

• instep 1

Examples of in step in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

Stories about people like him, his culture, his faith, his musical obsessions and influences like Haggard, Bob Seger, and Bruce Springsteen that, at the time, weren’t exactly in step with country radio. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026

Noun

Smashed with the instep of Mbappe’s right foot, the ball arced viciously into the top-right corner, beyond Bounou’s despairing dive. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 July 2026

The thin strap across the foot’s instep and the tiny heel give the shoes a delicate and refined feel. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for in step

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

Kids Definition

instep

noun

in·​step ˈin-ˌstep 

1

: the arched middle part of the human foot

2

: the part of a shoe or stocking that fits over the instep

Medical Definition

instep

noun

in·​step ˈin-ˌstep 

: the arched middle portion of the human foot in front of the ankle joint

especially : its upper surface