doorstep

[ dawr-step, dohr- ]

noun

1. a step or one of a series of steps leading from the ground to a door.
2. British Slang. a thick slice of bread.

doorstep

/ ˈdɔːˌstɛp /

noun

1. a step in front of a door
2. on one's doorstep
   very close or accessible
3. informal.
   a thick slice of bread

verb

1. to canvass (a district) or interview (a member of the public) by or in the course of door-to-door visiting
2. (of a journalist) to wait outside the house of (someone) to obtain an interview, photograph, etc when he or she emerges

Word History and Origins

Origin of doorstep¹

First recorded in 1800–10; door + step

Idioms and Phrases

see under at one's door (on one's doorstep) .

Example Sentences

Sam says he feels lucky to have a Lidl on his doorstep, and spends roughly £20 on his weekly shop.

From BBC

"The border crisis is on their doorstep and they were begging people to care about it for years, and we need to take some lessons . . . The lessons are not misogyny and sexism!"

From Salon

The lives of Billy and Susan Mail changed forever when a starving otter cub showed up at their doorstep.

From BBC

And now, on the doorstep of his first season with the Trojans, he’s not trying to hide his team’s perceived imperfections, either.

From Los Angeles Times

Pizza fans can have frozen pies delivered directly to their doorstep.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brink
• verge