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 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
This one was just a stepping stone to get to the ones that truly matter.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 19 May 2025
According to Sokola’s blog, Modeling was always just a stepping stone.
—Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Sam viewed Shanghai as a strategic stepping stone to competing for the global branding position back home.
—Katrina Burrus, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Other voices – including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg – see nuclear energy as a stopgap or stepping stone on the way to more renewable solutions, such as wind and solar technologies.
—Jack Cooksey, USA Today, 21 May 2025
And this time, a coach who isn’t looking at UCF as a stepping stone but as a cornerstone.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2025
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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
This one was just a stepping stone to get to the ones that truly matter.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 19 May 2025
According to Sokola’s blog, Modeling was always just a stepping stone.
—Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Sam viewed Shanghai as a strategic stepping stone to competing for the global branding position back home.
—Katrina Burrus, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Other voices – including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg – see nuclear energy as a stopgap or stepping stone on the way to more renewable solutions, such as wind and solar technologies.
—Jack Cooksey, USA Today, 21 May 2025
And this time, a coach who isn’t looking at UCF as a stepping stone but as a cornerstone.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping stone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepping%20stone. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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