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step
1[ step ]
noun
- a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking, running, or dancing.
- such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot:
The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.
- the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.
- the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.
- a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint.
- the manner of walking; gait; stride.
- pace in marching:
double-quick step.
- a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.
- steps, movements or course in walking or running:
to retrace one's steps.
- a move, act, or proceeding, as toward some end or in the general course of some action; stage, measure, or period:
the five steps to success.
- rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.
- a support for the foot in ascending or descending:
a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.
- a very short distance:
She was never more than a step away from her children.
- a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.
- Music.
- a degree of the staff or of the scale.
- the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second. Compare semitone, whole step.
- steps, British. a stepladder.
- an offset part of anything.
- Nautical. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.
- Mining. a flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.
verb (used without object)
- to move, go, etc., by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, or by using the feet alternately in this manner:
to step forward.
- to walk, or go on foot, especially for a few strides or a short distance:
Step over to the bar.
- to move with measured steps, as in a dance.
- to go briskly or fast, as a horse.
- to obtain, find, win, come upon, etc., something easily and naturally, as if by a mere step of the foot:
to step into a good business opportunity.
- to put the foot down; tread by intention or accident:
to step on a cat's tail.
- to press with the foot, as on a lever, spring, or the like, in order to operate some mechanism.
verb (used with object)
- to take (a step, pace, stride, etc.).
- to go through or perform the steps of (a dance).
- to move or set (the foot) in taking a step.
- to measure (a distance, ground, etc.) by steps (sometimes followed by off or out ).
- to make or arrange in the manner of a series of steps.
- Nautical. to fix (a mast) in its step.
verb phrase
- to become involved; intervene, as in a quarrel or fight:
The brawl was well under way by the time the police stepped in.
- to leave a place, especially for a brief period of time.
- to walk or march at a more rapid pace.
- to go out to a social gathering or on a date:
We're stepping out tonight.
- to raise or increase by degrees:
to step up production.
- to be promoted; advance.
- to make progress; improve.
- to lower or decrease by degrees.
- to relinquish one's authority or control; resign:
Although he was past retirement age, he refused to step down and let his son take over the business.
step-
2- a prefix denoting connection between members of a family by the remarriage of a parent and not by blood:
stepbrother.
step-
1combining_form
- indicating relationship through the previous marriage of a spouse or parent rather than by blood
stepfather
stepson
step
2/ stɛp /
noun
- the act of motion brought about by raising the foot and setting it down again in coordination with the transference of the weight of the body
- the distance or space covered by such a motion
- the sound made by such a movement
- the impression made by such movement of the foot; footprint
- the manner of walking or moving the feet; gait
he received his prize with a proud step
- a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance or part of a dance
I have mastered the steps of the waltz
- any of several paces or rhythmic movements in marching, dancing, etc
the goose step
- plural a course followed by a person in walking or as walking
they followed in their leader's steps
- one of a sequence of separate consecutive stages in the progression towards some goal
another step towards socialism
- a rank or grade in a series or scale
he was always a step behind
- an object or device that offers support for the foot when ascending or descending
- plural a flight of stairs, esp out of doors
- plural another name for stepladder
- a very short easily walked distance
it is only a step to my place
- music a melodic interval of a second See whole tone half-step
- an offset or change in the level of a surface similar to the step of a stair
- a strong block or frame bolted onto the keel of a vessel and fitted to receive the base of a mast
- a ledge cut in mining or quarrying excavations
- break stepto cease to march in step
- in step
- marching, dancing, etc, in conformity with a specified pace or moving in unison with others
- in agreement or harmony
- keep stepto remain walking, marching, dancing, etc, in unison or in a specified rhythm
- out of step
- not moving in conformity with a specified pace or in accordance with others
- not in agreement; out of harmony
- step by stepwith care and deliberation; gradually
- take stepsto undertake measures (to do something) with a view to the attainment of some end
- watch one's step
- to conduct oneself with caution and good behaviour
- to walk or move carefully
verb
- intr to move by raising the foot and then setting it down in a different position, transferring the weight of the body to this foot and repeating the process with the other foot
- intr; often foll by in, out, etc to move or go on foot, esp for a short distance
step this way, ladies
- informal.intr to move, often in an attractive graceful manner, as in dancing
he can really step around
- intr; usually foll by on or upon to place or press the foot; tread
to step on the accelerator
- intrusually foll byinto to enter (into a situation) apparently with ease
she stepped into a life of luxury
- tr to walk or take (a number of paces, etc)
to step ten paces
- tr to perform the steps of
they step the tango well
- tr to set or place (the foot)
- tr; usually foll by off or out to measure (some distance of ground) by stepping
- tr to arrange in or supply with a series of steps so as to avoid coincidence or symmetry
- tr to raise (a mast) and fit it into its step
STEP
3/ stɛp /
acronym for
- Special Temporary Employment Programme
Step
4/ stɛp /
noun
- a set of aerobic exercises designed to improve the cardiovascular system, which consists of stepping on and off a special box of adjustable height
- ( as modifier )
Step aerobics
Derived Forms
- ˈstepˌlike, adjective
Other Words From
- stepless adjective
- steplike adjective
- counter·step noun verb counterstepped counterstepping
- outstep verb (used with object) outstepped outstepping
- under·step noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of step1
Origin of step2
Word History and Origins
Origin of step1
Origin of step2
Idioms and Phrases
- break step, to interrupt or cease walking or marching in step:
The marching units were allowed to break step after they had passed the reviewing stand.
- in step,
- moving in time to a rhythm or with the corresponding step of others.
- in harmony or conformity with:
They are not in step with the times.
- keep step, to keep pace; stay in step:
The construction of classrooms and the training of teachers have not kept step with population growth.
- out of step,
- not in time to a rhythm or corresponding to the step of others.
- not in harmony or conformity with:
They are out of step with the others in their group.
- step by step,
- from one stage to the next in sequence.
- gradually and steadily:
We were shown the steelmaking process step by step.
- step on it, Informal. to hasten one's activity or steps; hurry up:
If we don't step on it, we'll miss the show.
- take steps, to set about putting something into operation; begin to act:
I will take steps to see that your application is processed.
- watch one's step, to proceed with caution; behave prudently:
If she doesn't watch her step, she will be fired from her job.
More idioms and phrases containing step
- false step
- in step
- (step) out of line
- take steps
- watch one's step
Example Sentences
But Brooke was out of step with the New Left and its notion of radical chic.
In the 21st century women are earning their equality every step of the way… including the bedroom.
A step-by-step plan to break from your various technology addictions.
The train was already in motion as she tried to step inside, and her body was crushed beneath it.
Until then, we will hike the stairs together, one carpeted step at a time.
The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.
But, when the car came thundering down, it was crammed to the step; with a melancholy gesture, the driver declined her signal.
Sol got up, slowly; took a backward step into the yard; filled his lungs, opened his mouth, made his eyes round.
She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract an iota from the grace of every step, pose, gesture.
The sound of my step shall make your heart jump; a look from me shall make you dumb for an hour.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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