: 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
Synonyms
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
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
With an overall geometry that leans into the carefree cycling of a beach cruiser and an easy-access step-in frame, the Electra Townie Go!
—Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024
The new soft and stretchy tongue delivers an easier step-in and more adaptive fit, making sliding these babies on and off a breeze.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2024
Cowboy's step-in app could be seen as a clever bit of guerrilla marketing, a sincere gesture of concern over soft-bricked e-bikes, or perhaps even a bit of empathy.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 July 2023
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
Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
Everything from basic grooming to remembering to eat can be that much more difficult, which is why stepping in to take some of the little tasks off their plate is a good place to start.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 18 Apr. 2024
Peña, aided by his white WWII veteran buddy Frank Mitchell (Dennis Quaid), steps in to gain them admission to the country club.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024
With such a narrow majority, Democrats would have to step in to save Johnson if Greene or Massie follow through with forcing a vote.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024
California officials voted Tuesday to step in to monitor groundwater use in part of the crop-rich San Joaquin Valley in a first-of-its-kind move that comes a decade after local communities were tasked with managing the precious but strained resource.
—Amy Taxin, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
After having trouble figuring out her grandmother’s cornbread recipe, Garten stepped in to share her own Brown Butter Skillet Cornbread.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
The commission’s recommendations are just the first step in what could be a lengthy process.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
But this is just a first step in a very long process, and the bill’s survival is anything but certain.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 14 Apr. 2024
Noun
And players make step-in 3s at a notably higher rate than off the dribble or running off a screen.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
With an overall geometry that leans into the carefree cycling of a beach cruiser and an easy-access step-in frame, the Electra Townie Go!
—Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024
The new soft and stretchy tongue delivers an easier step-in and more adaptive fit, making sliding these babies on and off a breeze.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2024
Cowboy's step-in app could be seen as a clever bit of guerrilla marketing, a sincere gesture of concern over soft-bricked e-bikes, or perhaps even a bit of empathy.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 July 2023
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
Verb
The campus visits mark a final step in the presidential search process.
—Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
Everything from basic grooming to remembering to eat can be that much more difficult, which is why stepping in to take some of the little tasks off their plate is a good place to start.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 18 Apr. 2024
Peña, aided by his white WWII veteran buddy Frank Mitchell (Dennis Quaid), steps in to gain them admission to the country club.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024
With such a narrow majority, Democrats would have to step in to save Johnson if Greene or Massie follow through with forcing a vote.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024
California officials voted Tuesday to step in to monitor groundwater use in part of the crop-rich San Joaquin Valley in a first-of-its-kind move that comes a decade after local communities were tasked with managing the precious but strained resource.
—Amy Taxin, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
After having trouble figuring out her grandmother’s cornbread recipe, Garten stepped in to share her own Brown Butter Skillet Cornbread.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
The commission’s recommendations are just the first step in what could be a lengthy process.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
But this is just a first step in a very long process, and the bill’s survival is anything but certain.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 14 Apr. 2024
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.
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 Apr. 2024.
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