stepping stone
noun
variants
or less commonly stepping-stone
plural stepping stones also stepping-stones
1
: a stone on which to step (as in crossing a stream or following a path)
We filled our water bottles in a large, clear lake set in smooth granite, crossed a stream using stepping stones, and started up a winding path that rose to a series of switchbacks.—
Joshua Rothman
Joshua RothmanAs in a Japanese garden, where stepping-stones force you to savor your stroll, you must watch every step and wind your way around the Japanese pines and beach grasses.—Stephen Drucker
Stephen Drucker2
: a means of progress or advancement
a stepping stone to success
But now many more see a political job as a stepping stone to money, power and influence.—Barbara Gamarekian
Barbara GamarekianEach person I talked to was to be a stepping-stone to the overall plan. It was my job to educate them so they would take their natural places in the plan.—Jane Smiley
Jane SmileyExamples of stepping stone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The myth persists in Florida that being L.G. is a stepping stone to greater political things, even though history shows the opposite is usually true.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
Many stepping stones were necessary to achieve this 2025 title, beginning with the blockbuster deal in the 2019 offseason to bring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into the organization, along with five first-round picks and two pick swaps.
—Shane Young, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Juneteenth was a major stepping stone—but not the end of the story.
—Danielle Broadway, Parents, 18 June 2025
If another catastrophe were to occur—especially one brought on by ignoring the essential stepping stone of the moon—the backlash could be far more severe.
—Avery Padraic Kerrigan, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
The lieutenant governor’s position in Virginia is not only seen as a potential stepping stone to running for governor but also a tiebreaking vote in the state Senate.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 17 June 2025
The role serves as an excellent stepping stone to executive leadership, with experienced professionals often earning over $200,000 in senior positions.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Both are already key elements of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land US astronauts on the Moon as a stepping stone toward human expeditions to Mars.
—ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
Not even an approximate 40-foot fall and sustained injuries on her third try in 2019 deterred her from forging ahead with her goal — rather, the scary slip was just a stepping stone in her personal journey to achieving her dreams.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 23 May 2025
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Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
Many stepping stones were necessary to achieve this 2025 title, beginning with the blockbuster deal in the 2019 offseason to bring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into the organization, along with five first-round picks and two pick swaps.
—Shane Young, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Juneteenth was a major stepping stone—but not the end of the story.
—Danielle Broadway, Parents, 18 June 2025
If another catastrophe were to occur—especially one brought on by ignoring the essential stepping stone of the moon—the backlash could be far more severe.
—Avery Padraic Kerrigan, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
The lieutenant governor’s position in Virginia is not only seen as a potential stepping stone to running for governor but also a tiebreaking vote in the state Senate.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 17 June 2025
The role serves as an excellent stepping stone to executive leadership, with experienced professionals often earning over $200,000 in senior positions.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Both are already key elements of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land US astronauts on the Moon as a stepping stone toward human expeditions to Mars.
—ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
Not even an approximate 40-foot fall and sustained injuries on her third try in 2019 deterred her from forging ahead with her goal — rather, the scary slip was just a stepping stone in her personal journey to achieving her dreams.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping stone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepping%20stone. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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