step-in

1 of 2

noun

: 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

step in

2 of 2

verb

stepped in; stepping in; steps in

intransitive verb

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
Noun
The entry floor holds the main bath plus two bedrooms; both have mini-split heat pumps, and the primary offers a walk-in closet and private bath with step-in double shower. Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023 The primary bedroom features a walk-in closet, a spacious bath with double vanities and step-in shower, and sliders to a private balcony. Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023 Three more bedrooms share a stylish new double-entry bath with step-in shower. Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023 The frame uses a three-point mounting system to increase power transfer, control, and stability with this step-in design. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2023 An OrthoLite sockliner improves step-in comfort as well. Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2023 Upstairs, three bedrooms share a bath with jetted soaking tub and step-in shower. Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2023 The primary bedroom has a private bath with step-in shower. Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2023 That ruling prompted Attorney General Tim Griffin to file an emergency motion Tuesday asking the Supreme Court to step-in and overturn Wright’s order. Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 1 June 2023
Verb
On a third-and-3 at the Steelers 16-yard line, Grant Delpit read the eyes of Kenny Pickett and stepped in front of a pass intended for George Pickens. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023 The Highland Park estate at 3637 Maplewood Ave. impresses with sophisticated style from your first step in the door. Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023 Wang, who held the role of foreign minister for a decade until the end of last year and then stepped in again following Qin’s removal, is expected to continue his diplomatic travels with a visit to Moscow on Monday. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 17 Sep. 2023 Epic Healing Eugene - America's first licensed psilocybin service center - opened in June, marking Oregon's unprecedented step in offering the mind-bending drug to the public. CBS News, 16 Sep. 2023 Epstein’s logical next step in baseball would be to build an expansion team from the ground up as part of the ownership group. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023 But this is just the first step in the appellate process. Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023 This week, Martina Ibañez-Baldor, De Los design director, steps in to write about her family’s experience living through the 1973 Chilean coup. Martina Ibáñez-Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 In the end, officials determined the frenzied dental office visit was one stop in a bizarre heist that began with a sizable theft from the Brea Mall Macy’s and ended with a rideshare driver at the helm of the suspects’ getaway car — unbeknownst to the driver — before police officers stepped in. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of step-in was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near step-in

Cite this Entry

“Step-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step-in. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

step-in

noun
-ˌin
: an article of clothing (as a dress or shoes) that can be put on by being stepped into
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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