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¹step

noun \ˈstep\

: a movement made by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place

: the sound of a foot making a step

: the distance covered in one step; also : a short distance

Full Definition of STEP

: a rest for the foot in ascending or descending: as

a : one of a series of structures consisting of a riser and a tread

b : a ladder rung

a (1) : an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere (2) : a combination of foot or foot and body movements constituting a unit or a repeated pattern <a dance step> (3) : manner of walking : stride

b : footprint 1

c : the sound of a footstep

a : the space passed over in one step

b : a short distance

c : the height of one stair

plural : course, way <directed his steps toward the river>

a : a degree, grade, or rank in a scale

b : a stage in a process <was guided through every step of my career>

: a frame on a ship designed to receive an upright shaft; especially : a block supporting the heel of a mast

: an action, proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series <taking steps to improve the situation>

: a steplike offset or part usually occurring in a series

: an interval in a musical scale

: step aerobics

: a slight lead in or as if in a race <has a step on the competition>

— step·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— stepped \ˈstept\ adjective

— in step

: with each foot moving to the same time as the corresponding foot of others or in time to music

: in harmony or agreement

— out of step

: not in step <out of step with the times>

See step defined for English-language learners

See step defined for kids

Origin of STEP

Middle English, from Old English stæpe; akin to Old High German stapfo step, stampfōn to stamp

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STEP

Synonyms: expedient, means, move, shift, measure

Antonyms: country mile, long haul, mile

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

Rhymes with STEP

hep, pep, prep, rep, skep, steppe, strep, yep

²step

verb

: to move in a specified direction by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place : to move somewhere by walking

: to put your foot down

steppedstep·ping

Full Definition of STEP

intransitive verb

a : to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession

b : dance

a : to go on foot : walk

b obsolete : advance, proceed

c : to be on one's way : leave —often used with along

d : to move briskly <kept us stepping>

: to press down with the foot <step on the brake>

: to come as if at a single step <stepped into a good job>

transitive verb

: to take by moving the feet in succession <step three paces>

a : to move (the foot) in any direction : set <the first man to step foot on the moon>

b : to traverse on foot

: to go through the steps of : perform <step a minuet>

: to make erect by fixing the lower end in a step <step the mast>

: to measure by steps <step off 50 yards>

a : to provide with steps

b : to make steps in <step a key>

: to construct or arrange in or as if in steps <craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides — Time>

— step on it

: to increase one's speed : hurry up

See step defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of STEP

before 12th century

Related to STEP

Synonyms: ambulate, foot (it), hoof (it), leg (it), pad, walk, traipse, tread

Antonyms: crawl, creep, poke

STEP- Defined for Kids

¹step

noun \ˈstep\

Definition of STEP for Kids

: a movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down in another spot

: a rest or place for the foot in going up or down : stair

: a combination of foot and body movements in a repeated pattern <a dance step>

: manner of walking <a lively step>

: footprint

: the sound of a footstep <I heard steps in the hall.>

: the space passed over in one step <The garden was a few steps away.>

: a short distance <The house is only a step away.>

: the height of one stair

steps plural : ¹course 2 <We directed our steps toward home.>

: one of a series of actions taken to achieve something <They took steps to correct the situation.>

: a stage in a process <What's the first step in assembling the toy?>

: a level, grade, or rank in a scale or series <His work was a step above average.>

: the distance from one tone of a musical scale or one note on a musical staff to another that is one tone away (half step) or two tones away (whole step)