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

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

From Science Daily

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

In general, mutations in multiple genes accumulate in a stepwise manner when normal cells become cancerous.

From Science Daily

Then, their descendants make a stepwise return to the north, taking up to four generations to complete the journey.

From Science Magazine

Astronomers thought the black holes formed stepwise within early galaxies, as giant stars collapsed and merged, but quasars detected from when the universe was less than 1 billion years old have challenged the idea.

From Science Magazine