step

\ ˈstep

How to pronounce step (audio)

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Definition of step

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

2a(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

b : footprint sense 1

c : the sound of a footstep

3a : the space passed over in one step

b : a short distance

c : the height of one stair

4 steps plural : course, way directed his steps toward the river

5a : 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 : step aerobics

11 : a slight lead in or as if in a race has a step on the competition

in step

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

out of step

: not in step out of step with the times

step

stepped; stepping

Definition of step (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession

2a : to go on foot : walk

b obsolete : advance, proceed

c : to be on one's way : leave —often used with along

d : to move briskly kept us stepping

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

transitive verb

1 : to take by moving the feet in succession step three paces

2a : to move (the foot) in any direction : set the first man to step foot on the moon

b : to traverse on foot

3 : to go through the steps of : perform step a minuet

4 : to make erect by fixing the lower end in a step step the mast

5 : to measure by steps step off 50 yards

6a : to provide with steps

b : to make steps in step a key

7 : to construct or arrange in or as if in steps craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides — Time

step on it

: to increase one's speed : hurry up

step-

Definition of step- (Entry 3 of 3)

: related by virtue of a remarriage (as of a parent) and not by blood stepparent stepsister

Other Words from step Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about step

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Trump’s actions also go a step beyond the powers that are given to a president, Paul said. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Mitch McConnell supports Trump's coronavirus executive orders. Rand Paul isn't so sure," 12 Aug. 2020 One critical step before wrapping up a home purchase is the final walkthrough, which occurs typically a day or two before closing. — Tanisha A. Sykes, USA TODAY, "Buying a house checklist: 7 tips for a final walkthrough ahead of closing on your new home," 11 Aug. 2020 Oregon is midway through a two-year cycle of cost-of-living and step increases that will raise pay for employees ranging from frontline workers to executives by as much as 15% at a cost of approximately $200 million. — oregonlive, "Tension-marked special session of Oregon Legislature spills into second day," 11 Aug. 2020 That step, and ordering that no one else be brought into the facility until there is proof that proper safety measures are in place, would help the detainees, the facility’s staff and the surrounding community, the judge said. — Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, "Judge orders ICE to stop transfers into Virginia facility hit hard by coronavirus," 11 Aug. 2020 Though Russia's process has raised questions in the medical community, the step could boost hopes that a vaccine is not far off. — Anneken Tappe, CNN, "The stock market is this close to setting another record -- the shortest bear market in history," 11 Aug. 2020 Three years later, in an extraordinary step, the Lawrences took the men to court themselves, but the case collapsed. — Robert Hutton, Bloomberg.com, "Police End Stephen Lawrence Murder Probe That Showed U.K. Racism," 11 Aug. 2020 The most recent federal legislation, the 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act, represents a step toward helping vulnerable families stay connected. — Lenette Azzi-lessing, The Conversation, "Children in foster care face deeper jeopardy during the coronavirus pandemic," 11 Aug. 2020 Each step has brought the question of what's enough. — Stephen Whyno, Star Tribune, "Hockey makes progress in midst of awakening about racism," 11 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Waiting for her cue to step onstage one recent Saturday, dancer Courtney Lavine tried to steady her breathing. — Washington Post, "It wasn’t the Met, but for these two dancers finally back onstage, it was two minutes of amazing," 12 Aug. 2020 Nora Huppert, an attorney who represented two transgender people in the case, condemned Idaho lawmakers for attempting to side-step the 2018 ruling with their latest unconstitutional legislation. — Madison Dibble, Washington Examiner, "Judge strikes down Idaho law preventing transgender people from changing gender on birth certificates," 11 Aug. 2020 Remarks from Stimpson and the council indicated that Deputy chief Johnny Morris Jr. would step into the chief of staff position vacated by Lami. — al, "Mobile, Gulf Shores confirm new fire chiefs," 11 Aug. 2020 This week, Paxton’s attorneys argued Harris County District Court Judge Jason Luong, a Democrat, should step off the case because the office of the attorney general is representing the judge in a separate legal matter. — Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants fourth judge to step down from his fraud case," 7 Aug. 2020 Egg & Flour's customers in Bay View order at the counter and step to the right to wait for their pasta or salad before exiting or finding a seat. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Open 1 week, closed 5 months. Egg & Flour Pasta Bar in Bay View is ready to open again.," 7 Aug. 2020 With a portfolio of existing and developing carbon-neutral technologies, Rolls-Royce is uniquely positioned to step into the spotlight. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Rolls-Royce Will Power the World's Fastest Passenger Plane," 4 Aug. 2020 The commission put out a call for more volunteers to step forward to work the polls in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. — Scott Bauer, Star Tribune, "More than 900 workers needed for Wisconsin polls," 4 Aug. 2020 On the first day that Jefferson County Public Schools teams could hold limited workouts and exercises, players got to step foot on campus for the first time since March. — David J. Kim, The Courier-Journal, "Some JCPS football teams begin workouts, conditioning before holiday weekend," 30 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'step.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about step

Dictionary Entries near step

step-and-repeat

Statistics for step

Last Updated

14 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step. Accessed 22 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for step

step

noun

English Language Learners Definition of step

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a movement made by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place

: the sound of a foot making a step

: the distance covered in one step also : a short distance

step

verb

English Language Learners Definition of step (Entry 2 of 3)

: to move in a specified direction by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place : to move somewhere by walking

: to put your foot down

step-

combining form

English Language Learners Definition of step- (Entry 3 of 3)

—used to describe family relationships that are created when a person who already has a child marries someone who is not the child's parent

See the full definition for step- in the English Language Learners Dictionary

step

\ ˈstep

\

Kids Definition of step

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down in another spot

2 : a rest or place for the foot in going up or down : stair

3 : a combination of foot and body movements in a repeated pattern a dance step

4 : manner of walking a lively step

6 : the sound of a footstep I heard steps in the hall.

7 : the space passed over in one step The garden was a few steps away.

8 : a short distance The house is only a step away.

9 : the height of one stair

10 steps plural : course entry 1 sense 2 We directed our steps toward home.

11 : one of a series of actions taken to achieve something They took steps to correct the situation.

12 : a stage in a process What's the first step in assembling the toy?

13 : a level, grade, or rank in a scale or series His work was a step above average.

14 : the distance from one tone of a musical scale or one note on a musical staff to another that is one tone away ( half step ) or two tones away ( whole step )

step

stepped; stepping

Kids Definition of step (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to move in a particular way or direction by lifting one foot and putting it down in another spot They stepped aside to let me pass.

2 : dance entry 1 sense 1 The couple stepped gracefully together.

3 : to go on foot : walk He stepped slowly along the path.

4 : to move quickly They were really stepping along.

5 : to put or press the foot on or in I stepped on glass. Don't step in the puddle.

6 : to come or move as if at a step by the foot I stepped into a good job.

7 : to measure by steps Step off ten yards.

step up

: to increase the amount, speed, or intensity of The factory stepped up production.

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