doorstep

noun

door·​step ˈdȯr-ˌstep 

: 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

Then, with the best team of his Mississippi tenure, the Rebels marched to the playoff’s doorstep, only to stumble and fall in The Swamp just before crossing the threshold. —Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2025

For over a decade, Amazon has been working to bring to life founder Jeff Bezos' vision of drones whizzing toothpaste, books and batteries to customers' doorsteps in 30 minutes or less. —Annie Palmer, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025

Truth is, Cora knows how to beat the Yankees with inferior players, a fact that leaves the top wild-card seed on the doorstep of the unthinkable. —Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

This brings a strange boy (Jade Croot) to their doorstep who draws them into an enigmatic realm where the line between reality and myth begins to blur. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for doorstep

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

Kids Definition

doorstep

noun

door·​step -ˌstep 

: a step or series of steps before an outer door