stepwise

[ step-wahyz ]

adverb

1. in a steplike arrangement.
2. Music. from one adjacent tone to another:

   The melody ascends stepwise.

adjective

1. Music. moving from one adjacent tone to another:

   stepwise melodic progression.

stepwise

/ ˈstɛpˌwaɪz /

adjective

1. arranged in the manner of or resembling steps
2. music proceeding by melodic intervals of a second

adverb

1. with the form or appearance of steps; step by step
2. music in a stepwise motion

Word History and Origins

Origin of stepwise¹

First recorded in 1885–90; step + -wise

Example Sentences

Confirming the hunch was a stepwise process.

From Science Daily

But even reaching those valleys can be difficult, requiring the stepwise exchange of electrons and protons among various molecules.

From Science Daily

Their movement through the sand appears closer to the fluidity of a snake than to the stepwise undulations of an earthworm.

From Slate

MIF levels also appeared to increase in a stepwise fashion as neighborhood composition changed from mostly Black to some Black to mixed to mostly white neighborhoods.

From Science Daily

The researchers used a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques to monitor the stepwise adhesion of the linker to the graphene surface, followed by the binding of the receptor to the linker, and finally, the attachment of lead ions to the receptor.

From Science Daily