1
: a rest for the foot in ascending or descending: such as
a
: one of a series of structures consisting of a riser and a tread
b
: a ladder rung
2
a(1)
: an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere
(2)
: a combination of foot or foot and body movements constituting a unit or a repeated pattern
a dance step
(3)
: manner of walking : stride
c
: the sound of a footstep
3
a
: the space passed over in one step
b
: a short distance
c
: the height of one stair
5
a
: a degree, grade, or rank in a scale
b
: a stage in a process
was guided through every step of my career
6
: a frame on a ship designed to receive an upright shaft
especially
: a block supporting the heel of a mast
7
: an action, proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series
taking steps to improve the situation
8
: a steplike offset or part usually occurring in a series
9
: the interval between two adjacent notes in a musical scale
10
11
: a slight lead in or as if in a race
has a step on the competition
stepped; stepping; steps
1
a
: to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession
They stepped into the elevator.
She stepped inside and closed the door.
I'm sorry, but he just stepped outside for a moment.
When I call your name, please step forward.
She stepped up to the microphone.
I stepped up/down onto the landing.
He stepped back, startled.
Please step away from the moving doors.
They stepped aside to let the paramedics through.
We watched as the passengers stepped ashore.
b
: dance
Joyfully along the contra lines, the dancers held hands, listened to the caller, and stepped to the music …—
Joan Donaldson
Joan Donaldson2
3
: to press down with the foot
step on the brake
4
: to come as if at a single step
stepped into a good job
5
: to extend by or as if by a stairstep
… the room steps down past a viewing area to a projection television screen hung from the ceiling.—Sunset
SunsetA wooden retaining wall—which holds the slope above the staircase—steps up in level sections.—Susan Lang
Susan Lang1
: to take (a pace, etc.) by moving the feet in succession
step three paces
2
a
: to move (the foot) in any direction : set
the first person to step foot on the moon
b
: to traverse (something) on foot
… proud … of stepping this famous pavement …—Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf3
: to go through the steps of (something) : perform
step a minuet
4
: to make (something) erect by fixing the lower end in a step
step the mast
5
: to measure (something) by steps
step off 50 yards
6
a
: to provide (something) with steps
He stepped the front of the stage down into the stalls and built a permanent cyclorama across the full width of the rear wall.—Colin Chambers
Colin Chambers
b
: to make steps in (something)
step a key
7
: to construct or arrange (something) in or as if in steps
… we looked down on an expanse of craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides …—Time
Timesee also step on it, step up
: related by virtue of a marriage (as of a parent) and not by blood
stepparent
stepsister
Synonyms
Examples of step in a Sentence
Noun
She took one step forward.
The baby took her first steps today.
I heard steps on the stairs.
The edge of the cliff was only about three steps to my left.
The cottage is just steps from the beach.
He walks with a spring in his step.
She walked down the hall with a quick step.
a major step towards independence
We are taking steps to correct the situation.
Verb
She stepped onto the bus.
They stepped aside to let her pass.
Please step away from the door.
He stepped outside for a moment.
Step in my office for a minute.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebBart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
If your credit score is low, consider taking steps to improve it before applying for refinancing.
—Ashley Donohoe, Car and Driver, 2 Sep. 2023
Cora didn’t know what the next step would be for Kelly, but the plan is to have him back on the major league roster before the end of the season.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
The next step is filling in all the pieces in the middle.
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2023
After promising to take steps to reduce the travel burden on athletes, including playing tournaments in central locations, and lauding the ACC’s strong academic reputation, Stanford acknowledged this move largely came down to money.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
But those who were in default need to take certain steps to do so — and complete them before next September to keep their loans out of default for the long term, The Times said.
—Robert Higgs, cleveland, 1 Sep. 2023
By the time the band finished touring commitments for Slowdive, there was nothing on the calendar for next steps.
—Cam Lindsay, Spin, 1 Sep. 2023
The report can also be shared with a healthcare provider who can provide more guidance on next steps or answer questions and concerns.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 1 Sep. 2023
Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
Of course, there are those quick to deride or dismiss actors like Penn stepping off the soundstage and into such roles.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 18 Sep. 2023
Tight end Mark Andrews stepped right into a familiar workload after missing the opener with a quadriceps injury, playing 79% of the Ravens’ offensive snaps.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023
The Parks also have stepped to the second-banana role, giving the headliner’s spot to Canadian singer JP Saxe.
—Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
But stepping aboard unravels the function behind these stylistic choices.
—Giacomo Barbaro, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2023
Woodyard stepped from his police vehicle and repeatedly told McClain to stop.
—Audra D. S. Burch, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
The Fleabag creator and star, 36, eventually stepped away from the project back in September 2021 due to creative differences with the Community alum.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023
This marks the group’s first run of shows since DeLonge rejoined fellow bandmates Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker after stepping away in 2014.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
The bank agreed to take remedial steps such as investing $1.15 million to increase credit opportunities and boosting the number of loan officers in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
If your credit score is low, consider taking steps to improve it before applying for refinancing.
—Ashley Donohoe, Car and Driver, 2 Sep. 2023
Cora didn’t know what the next step would be for Kelly, but the plan is to have him back on the major league roster before the end of the season.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
The next step is filling in all the pieces in the middle.
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2023
After promising to take steps to reduce the travel burden on athletes, including playing tournaments in central locations, and lauding the ACC’s strong academic reputation, Stanford acknowledged this move largely came down to money.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
But those who were in default need to take certain steps to do so — and complete them before next September to keep their loans out of default for the long term, The Times said.
—Robert Higgs, cleveland, 1 Sep. 2023
By the time the band finished touring commitments for Slowdive, there was nothing on the calendar for next steps.
—Cam Lindsay, Spin, 1 Sep. 2023
The report can also be shared with a healthcare provider who can provide more guidance on next steps or answer questions and concerns.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 1 Sep. 2023
Verb
Rabbi Ilana Zietman of GatherDC said, inviting people to step toward the center of the circle when a sentence resonated.
—Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
Of course, there are those quick to deride or dismiss actors like Penn stepping off the soundstage and into such roles.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 18 Sep. 2023
Tight end Mark Andrews stepped right into a familiar workload after missing the opener with a quadriceps injury, playing 79% of the Ravens’ offensive snaps.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023
The Parks also have stepped to the second-banana role, giving the headliner’s spot to Canadian singer JP Saxe.
—Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
But stepping aboard unravels the function behind these stylistic choices.
—Giacomo Barbaro, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2023
Woodyard stepped from his police vehicle and repeatedly told McClain to stop.
—Audra D. S. Burch, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
The Fleabag creator and star, 36, eventually stepped away from the project back in September 2021 due to creative differences with the Community alum.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023
This marks the group’s first run of shows since DeLonge rejoined fellow bandmates Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker after stepping away in 2014.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English stæpe; akin to Old High German stapfo step, stampfōn to stamp
Combining form
Middle English, from Old English stēop-; akin to Old High German stiof- step-, Old English astēpan to deprive, bereave
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of step was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing step
Articles Related to step
Dictionary Entries Near step
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
step
1 of 2 noun2
3
a
: the space passed over in one step
b
: a short distance
only a step away
c
: the height of one stair
4
plural
: course entry 1 sense 2, way
guided their steps down the path
5
a
: a level or rank in a scale
one step nearer graduation
b
: a stage in a process
6
: an action, proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series
took steps to correct the situation
7
: a musical scale degree
step
2 of 2 verb
stepped; stepping
1
a
: to move or take by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in order
step three paces
stepped ashore
2
a
: to go on foot : walk
step outside
b
: to move briskly
really stepped along
3
: to press down with the foot
step on a nail
4
: to come as if at a single step
step into a good job
5
: to measure by steps
stepper
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on step
Nglish: Translation of step for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of step for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about step
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