step

1 of 3

noun

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

step

2 of 3

verb

stepped; stepping; steps

intransitive verb

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
2
a
: to go on foot : walk
She stepped down to the corner store.
see also step out
b
obsolete : advance, proceed
c
: to be on one's way : leave
often used with along
told them to step along
see also step aside, step down
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
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
A wooden retaining wall—which holds the slope above the staircase—steps up in level sections.Susan Lang

transitive verb

1
: 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
3
: 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
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

see also step on it, step up

step-

3 of 3

combining form

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

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
Policymakers are taking some steps to address the funding gaps. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 The conspiracies became so prevalent and outlandish — the BBL operation, for example — that Kensington Palace took the uncharacteristic step of issuing a statement to stop the gossip. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024 During pregnancy, Black women must advocate for themselves and take necessary steps, like getting information throughout the pregnancy, planning the labor and delivery, during the childbirth process, and also during the postpartum period. Pamela Appea, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 That bill remains in committee in both the House and the Senate; that's the step between a bill being sponsored and a bill being brought before the chamber to be voted on. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024 People who skip this step and travel directly to high elevations are up to four times more likely to develop altitude sickness symptoms. Brian Strickland, Discover Magazine, 9 Mar. 2024 Her executive producer credit on the Lionsgate film was not a vanity title, but rather an essential step on her journey to claim space behind the scenes. William Earl, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The winning outfit will be revealed by the Barbie Style team the night of the awards after the team travels to Hollywood and quickly shoots Barbie on the step and repeat before the nights nominees start streaming into the awards show. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Forget The Funnel; Create A Behavioral Customer Journey One significant step marketers can take to build an emotional connection with their audience is to eliminate a funnel approach to their communications. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
To step inside the Olympic printing plant is to step inside a time capsule enshrining a 19th century product manufactured with 20th century technology and poised for 21st century obsolescence. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Just step the line like its just another ordinary shot. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 After being spotted by fans on a casual mall date the previous day, the pair stepped things up a notch for dinner at Singapore's Koma restaraunt. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2024 Gear is stored in lockers just steps away from the dining hall, and Kiroro Grand's doors are only a three-minute gondola ride away from the base of the main ski area. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Now seeking a master’s in global development practice at the Harvard Extension School, Rio-Glick can step away from the dance shoes, theater wings, and camera. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 8 Mar. 2024 At the end of the clip, Jasmine returns to set with an apology to Robinson for stepping away. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Behind the graffitied door of a nondescript Eastern Market warehouse, just steps away from the city’s longest standing meat markets, is Midnight Temple, a trove of Indian traditions, both culinary and otherwise. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Commuters callously stepped over him, some even uttering a nasty word about his addiction, as Pichardo worked to save him. Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near step

Cite this Entry

“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

step

1 of 2 noun
1
: a rest for the foot in going up or down : stair, rung
2
a
: a movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere
b
: a combination of foot or foot and body movements in a repeated pattern
c
: manner of walking : stride
knows me by my step
d
e
: the sound of a footstep
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
steplike adjective
stepped adjective

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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