: 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
Keith Laing, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The first generation of step-in bindings from other brands, like Shimano, K2, and Burton, had also phased out, and everyone was riding two-strap bindings.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside, 9 Feb. 2026
Emily Heil The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Raisi’s untimely death in a helicopter crash in 2024 provided Khamenei with another opportunity to address public frustration, and many saw the election of the reform-leaning Masoud Pezeshkian as a step in that direction.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step-in
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Noun
After careful consideration of features like low step-in height, wide passenger doors and flat load floors, the Toyota Sienna Woodland was the clear choice.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The first generation of step-in bindings from other brands, like Shimano, K2, and Burton, had also phased out, and everyone was riding two-strap bindings.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Legislators could step in and provide a more specific legal definition, Turley says, although the odds are slim.
—Emily Heil The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Raisi’s untimely death in a helicopter crash in 2024 provided Khamenei with another opportunity to address public frustration, and many saw the election of the reform-leaning Masoud Pezeshkian as a step in that direction.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 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 3 Mar. 2026.
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