English Dictionary

Definition of “step”

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step (stɛpPronunciation for step) 

Definitions

noun

  1. 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
  2. the distance or space covered by such a motion
  3. the sound made by such a movement
  4. the impression made by such movement of the foot; footprint
  5. the manner of walking or moving the feet; gait  ⇒ he received his prize with a proud step 
  6. a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance or part of a dance  ⇒ I have mastered the steps of the waltz 
  7. any of several paces or rhythmic movements in marching, dancing, etc  ⇒ the goose step 
  8. (plural) a course followed by a person in walking or as walking  ⇒ they followed in their leader's steps 
  9. one of a sequence of separate consecutive stages in the progression towards some goal  ⇒ another step towards socialism 
  10. a rank or grade in a series or scale  ⇒ he was always a step behind 
  11. an object or device that offers support for the foot when ascending or descending
  12. (plural) a flight of stairs, esp out of doors
  13. (plural) another name for stepladder
  14. a very short easily walked distance  ⇒ it is only a step to my place 
  15. music a melodic interval of a second See whole tone , half-step
  16. an offset or change in the level of a surface similar to the step of a stair
  17. a strong block or frame bolted onto the keel of a vessel and fitted to receive the base of a mast
  18. a ledge cut in mining or quarrying excavations
  19. See break step
  20. See in step
  21. See keep step
  22. See out of step
  23. See step by step
  24. See take steps
  25. See watch one's step

verb

Word forms: steps, stepping, stepped
  1. (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
  2. (intr; often foll by in, out, etc) to move or go on foot, esp for a short distance  ⇒ step this way, ladies 
  3. (intr) informal mainly US to move, often in an attractive graceful manner, as in dancing  ⇒ he can really step around 
  4. (intr; usually foll by on or upon) to place or press the foot; tread  ⇒ to step on the accelerator 
  5. (intr) into to enter (into a situation) apparently with ease  ⇒ she stepped into a life of luxury 
  6. (tr) to walk or take (a number of paces, etc)  ⇒ to step ten paces 
  7. (tr) to perform the steps of  ⇒ they step the tango well 
  8. (tr) to set or place (the foot)
  9. (tr; usually foll by off or out) to measure (some distance of ground) by stepping
  10. (tr) to arrange in or supply with a series of steps so as to avoid coincidence or symmetry
  11. (tr) to raise (a mast) and fit it into its step

See also

step down , step in , step on , step out , step up

Alternative Forms

ˈstepˌlike adjective

Word Origin

Old English stepe, stæpe;  related to Old Frisian stap, stepe,  Old High German stapfo  (German Stapfe  footprint), Old Norse stapi high rock

Step (stɛpPronunciation for Step) 

Definitions

noun

    1. a set of aerobic exercises designed to improve the cardiovascular system, which consists of stepping on and off a special box of adjustable height
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ Step aerobics 

STEP (stɛpPronunciation for STEP) 

Definitions

noun acronym for

  1. Special Temporary Employment Programme

step-

Definitions

combining form

  1. indicating relationship through the previous marriage of a spouse or parent rather than by blood  ⇒ stepson stepfather 

Word Origin

Old English stēop-;  compare āstӯpan to bereave

Quotations

  • "one step at a time"

Translations

  • British English: step Pronunciation for step If you take a step, you lift your foot and put it down in a different place.I took a step towards him.stɛp NOUN I took a step towards him.
  • Spanish: paso Pronunciation for paso nm
  • French: pas Pronunciation for pas nm
  • German: Schritt Pronunciation for Schritt nm
  • Chinese: 步骤Pronunciation for 步骤 n
  • Arabic: خُطْوَةPronunciation for خُطْوَة n
  • Portuguese: passoPronunciation for passo nm
  • Russian: шагPronunciation for шаг nm
  • Croatian: korakPronunciation for korak nm
  • Czech: krokPronunciation for krok nm
  • Danish: trinPronunciation for trin nnt
  • Dutch: stapPronunciation for stap nm
  • Finnish: askelPronunciation for askel n
  • Greek: βήμαPronunciation for βήμα nnt
  • Italian: passoPronunciation for passo nm
  • Japanese: 歩みPronunciation for 歩み n
  • Korean: 걸음Pronunciation for 걸음 n
  • Norwegian: trinnPronunciation for trinn nnt
  • Polish: krokPronunciation for krok nm
  • Brazilian Portuguese: passoPronunciation for passo nm
  • European Spanish: paso Pronunciation for paso nm
  • Swedish: stegPronunciation for steg nnt
  • Thai: ก้าวPronunciation for ก้าว n
  • Turkish: adımPronunciation for adım n
  • Vietnamese: bướcPronunciation for bước n
  • British English: step A step is a flat surface that you put your feet on to walk up or down to somewhere.We went down the steps into the garden.stɛp NOUN We went down the steps into the garden.
  • French: marche nf
  • Arabic: دَرَجَة n
  • Brazilian Portuguese: degrau nm

Usage examples

  • A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
    Anthony Masters, CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
  • "We then met back at Russell's house to discuss our next step.
    Country Life (2005)
  • Mr Teahon has had to step down from its executive chairmanship.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • Another week, another faltering step or two towards the peak of physical perfection.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Congratulations -- the fact that you've bought this book means you've made the first step towards transforming your life!
    Carole Gaskell, YOUR POCKET LIFE COACH: 10 minutes a day to transform your life and your work (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'S'

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