step

/stɛp/

/stɛp/

Other forms: steps; stepped; stepping

Step right up and learn about the word step, which can be a noun or a verb. When you lift up your foot, move it forward, and put it down, that's a step. You can call the distance you cover in that single movement a step as well.

Each movement in a dance is a step, and so is the sound of feet on the floor: "I heard his heavy step when he went for his midnight snack." A step is also a stair or a ladder's rung, and when you achieve something or make progress, you take steps toward your goal. If you're about to step in gum, your friend might warn, "Watch your step!"

Definitions of step

1. noun

   the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
   “he walked with unsteady steps”

   types:

   pace, stride, tread

   a step in walking or running

   pas

   (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

   trip

   a light or nimble tread

   sidestep

   a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)

   footstep

   the act of taking a step in walking

   type of:

   locomotion, travel

   self-propelled movement
2. noun

   the distance covered by a step
   synonyms: footstep, pace, stride

   type of:

   indefinite quantity

   an estimated quantity
3. noun

   the sound of a step of someone walking
   synonyms: footfall, footstep

   types:

   tramp

   a heavy footfall

   type of:

   sound

   the sudden occurrence of an audible event
4. noun

   a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
   synonyms: footmark, footprint

   types:

   footprint evidence

   evidence in the form of footprints

   type of:

   mark, print

   a visible indication made on a surface
5. noun

   a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
   “he taught them the waltz step”

   synonyms: dance step

   types:

   moonwalk

   a kind of dance step in which the dancer seems to be sliding on the spot

   chasse, sashay

   (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading

   glissade

   (ballet) a gliding or sliding step in ballet

   type of:

   locomotion, travel

   self-propelled movement
6. noun

   a short distance
   “it's only a step to the drugstore”

   synonyms: stone's throw

   type of:

   small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity

   an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
7. verb

   shift or move by taking a step
   “step back”

   types:

   backpedal

   step backwards, in boxing

   type of:

   go, locomote, move, travel

   change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
8. verb

   walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner
   “step over to the blackboard”

   type of:

   walk

   use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
9. verb

   move with one's feet in a specific manner
   “step lively”

   type of:

   go, locomote, move, travel

   change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
10. verb

    measure (distances) by pacing
    “step off ten yards”

    synonyms: pace

    type of:

    measure, quantify

    express as a number or measure or quantity
11. verb

    put down or press the foot, place the foot
    “step on the brake”

    synonyms: tread

    types:

    step on, tread on

    place or press the foot on

    type of:

    go, locomote, move, travel

    change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
12. noun

    relative position in a graded series
    “always a step behind”

    “keep in step with the fashions”

    synonyms: gradation

    types:

    cut

    a step on some scale

    type of:

    rank

    relative status
13. noun

    a musical interval of two semitones
    synonyms: tone, whole step, whole tone

    type of:

    interval, musical interval

    the difference in pitch between two notes
14. noun

    any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
    “the police took steps to reduce crime”

    synonyms: measure

    types:

    countermeasure

    an action taken to offset another action

    porcupine provision, shark repellent

    a measure undertaken by a corporation to discourage unwanted takeover attempts

    guard, precaution, safeguard

    a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

    golden parachute

    giving top executives lucrative benefits that must be paid by the acquirer if they are discharged after a takeover

    greenmail

    (corporation) the practice of purchasing enough shares in a firm to threaten a takeover and thereby forcing the owners to buy those shares back at a premium in order to stay in business

    pac-man strategy

    the target company defends itself by threatening to take over its acquirer

    poison pill

    the target company defends itself by making its stock less attractive to an acquirer

    safe harbor

    the target company defends itself by acquiring a company so onerously regulated that it makes the target less attractive

    scorched-earth policy

    the target company defends itself by selling off its crown jewels

    backstop

    a precaution in case of an emergency

    security, security measures

    measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.

    countermine

    (military) a tunnel dug to defeat similar activities by the enemy

    type of:

    maneuver, manoeuvre, tactical maneuver, tactical manoeuvre

    a move made to gain a tactical end
15. verb

    move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation
    “She stepped into a life of luxury”

    “he won't step into his father's footsteps”

    type of:

    move

    go or proceed from one point to another
16. verb

    cause (a computer) to execute a single command
    type of:

    execute, run

    carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
17. noun

    support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
    “he paused on the bottom step”

    synonyms: stair

    types:

    corbel step, corbie-step, corbiestep, crow step

    (architecture) a step on the top of a gable wall

    type of:

    support

    any device that bears the weight of another thing
18. verb

    furnish with steps
    “The architect wants to step the terrace”

    type of:

    furnish, provide, render, supply

    give something useful or necessary to
19. noun

    a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed
    type of:

    block

    a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
20. verb

    place (a ship's mast) in its step
    type of:

    lay, place, pose, position, put, set

    put into a certain place or abstract location
21. verb

    treat badly
    “She is always stepping on others to get ahead”

    synonyms: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat

    types:

    kick around

    treat badly; abuse

    type of:

    do by, handle, treat

    interact in a certain way