: an article of clothing put on by being stepped into: such as
a
: a shoe resembling but usually having a higher vamp than a pump and having concealed elastic to adjust the fit
b
: short panties for women
—usually used in plural
step-in
adjective
stepped in; stepping in; steps in
1
a
: to intervene in an affair or dispute
b
: to act as a replacement
2
: to make a brief informal visit
Examples of step-in in a Sentence
Verb
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class.
couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Beverly, Outside, 26 Dec. 2025
The easy step-in style, which makes these a great pick for slipping on and off in the TSA line.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
The federal officer steps in front of the Honda SUV, parked nearly perpendicular across a one-way residential street in Minneapolis, with snow piled up on the curb.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step-in
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Unlike the shoes of the 80s, which required several runs to break in stiff materials and mold to your feet, today’s shoes feel plush and comfortable on step-in.
—Jonathan Beverly, Outside, 26 Dec. 2025
The easy step-in style, which makes these a great pick for slipping on and off in the TSA line.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Verb
Park thanked residents across the city for donating and offering help without condition, as well as the volunteers, first responders, workers, faith groups, nonprofits and businesses that stepped in to fill the gaps before government systems could catch up.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
The federal officer steps in front of the Honda SUV, parked nearly perpendicular across a one-way residential street in Minneapolis, with snow piled up on the curb.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step-in
Cite this Entry
“Step-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step-in. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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