step
19 ENTRIES FOUND:
- step (noun)
- step (verb)
- step- (combining form)
- step–by–step (adjective)
- stepping–stone (noun)
- step–up (noun)
- step aerobics (noun)
- step change (noun)
- step stool (noun)
- goose step (noun)
- half step (noun)
- whole step (noun)
- break (verb)
- fall (verb)
- lively (adjective)
- mind (verb)
- plate (noun)
- toe (noun)
- watch (verb)
plural
steps
plural
steps
Britannica Dictionary definition of STEP
1
[count]
a
:
a movement made by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place
-
counting our steps
-
She took one step forward/backward.
-
The baby took her first steps today.
-
He had to retrace his steps [=go back along the way he had come] to find his keys.
c
:
the distance covered in one step
-
The edge of the cliff was only about three steps to my left.
also
:
a short distance
-
The cottage is just steps from the beach.
2
[singular]
:
the way that someone walks
—
see also goose step, lockstep
-
He walks with a spring in his step.
-
She walked down the hall with a quick/light step.
3
[count]
:
one of a series of actions that are done to achieve something
-
a major/important step towards independence
-
We are taking steps to correct the situation.
-
The court's decision is a step backward/forward for the reform movement. [=it is something that will hurt/help the reform movement]
-
Exercise won't solve all your health problems, but it's a step in the right direction. [=it will improve your health]
-
They're taking baby steps. [=they're doing minor things that produce only a small amount of progress toward achieving something]
4
[count]
:
a stage in a process
-
We're in the first/intermediate/last steps of the negotiations.
-
She's one step nearer/closer to graduation.
-
I want to take it a step further. [=I want to move to the next stage in the process]
-
He was criticized at every step. = He was criticized every step of the way.
-
We'll guide you through the process step by step.
-
Let's take this one step at a time.
5
[count]
:
a level or rank in a scale
-
a step above/below average
-
a step beyond what was expected
-
The new job is a step up/down for her. [=the new job is more/less important, challenging, etc., than the job she had before]
7
[count]
:
a movement or pattern of movements made by someone who is dancing
-
a ballet step
-
dance steps
8
US, music
:
the distance from one tone of a musical scale to the next
—
see also half step, whole step
[count]
-
The melody moves up/down a step.
[noncount]
-
The melody moves upward by step [=in a series of steps] from D to C.
9
[count]
:
a piece of exercise equipment consisting of a small platform that you use by stepping on and off it
—
see also step aerobics
-
Working out with a step can be very rigorous.
10
a/one step ahead of
1
:
better prepared than (someone or something)
-
The teacher really has to work to keep one step ahead of the class.
-
She always seems to be one step ahead of me.
2
:
able to avoid being caught or found by (someone or something)
-
So far the killer has managed to stay one step ahead of the police/law. [=managed to avoid being caught by the police]
break step
:
to stop walking or marching with the same rhythm as another person or group of people
-
The soldier was startled and broke step.
fall into step
:
to begin walking or marching with the same rhythm as another person or group of people
-
He fell into step beside her and struck up a conversation.
in step
1
:
with the same rhythm as someone or something
— usually + with
-
They walked in step down the avenue.
-
We danced in step with the music.
2
:
matching or agreeing with someone or something
-
She's in step with people her age. [=she has the same ideas, problems, etc., as other people her age]
-
The practice is not in step with modern morality.
mind/watch your step
1
:
to walk carefully
-
It's slippery, so watch your step.
2
:
to speak or behave carefully
-
You'd better watch your step with me, young lady.
out of step
1
:
not moving with the same rhythm as someone or something
-
One of the dancers was out of step.
2
:
not matching or agreeing with someone or something
— often + with
-
Her fashion sense is completely out of step.
-
She's out of step with current fashion.
-
Critics say the rule is out of step with the times. [=the rule does not agree with the ideas that are popular or important now]
-
a stepped pyramid [=a pyramid with sides made of steps]
2
step
/ˈstɛp/
verb
steps;
stepped;
stepping
2
step
/ˈstɛp/
verb
steps;
stepped;
stepping
Britannica Dictionary definition of STEP
always followed by an adverb or preposition
[no object]
1
:
to move in a specified direction by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place
:
to move somewhere by walking
-
The sailor stepped ashore.
-
She stepped onto/off the bus.
-
They stepped aside/forward/backward to let her pass.
-
Please step away from the door.
-
He stepped outside for a moment.
-
Step in/into my office for a minute.
2
:
to put your foot down
— usually + in or on
-
He accidentally stepped on a nail.
-
She stepped in a puddle.
step aside/down
[phrasal verb]
:
to leave a job or official position
-
He stepped down [=resigned] as president.
-
She'll step aside after her replacement is appointed.
step back
[phrasal verb]
:
to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time so that you can think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
-
You need to step back and give yourself some time to work through this.
step forward
[phrasal verb]
:
to give or offer help, information, etc.
-
A witness stepped forward to identify the robber.
step in
[phrasal verb]
:
to become involved in an activity, discussion, etc., in order to prevent trouble or provide help
-
He stepped in and took charge.
-
She stepped in before a fight could start.
step into
[phrasal verb]
step into (something)
:
to take a particular role or do a particular task
-
She stepped into the role/position of director.
-
She's retiring, and it won't be easy to find someone who can step into her shoes. [=fill her shoes; who can do her job]
step lively
step on it
informal or US step on the gas
:
to drive faster
-
Step on it, they're getting away!
step on someone's toes
step out
[phrasal verb] US
:
to briefly leave a place
-
I need to step out [=pop out] for a moment.
-
She just stepped out to get some milk.
step out of line
informal
:
to disobey rules or behave badly
-
If you step out of line, you'll get kicked off the bus.
step right up
chiefly US
— used to invite people to gather around to see a show or to buy things
-
Step right up [=(Brit) roll up, roll up] and see the world's greatest magic show!
step up
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to increase in amount or speed
-
Production has stepped up in recent months.
2
a
:
to say openly or publicly that you are the person who should get something or who can do something
:
to come forward
-
No one yet has stepped up to claim responsibility.
b
:
to do better
:
to succeed in providing what is needed by making a greater effort, improving your performance, etc.
-
The team's best player is injured, so someone else needs to step up.
3
step (something) up
or
step up (something)
a
:
to increase the amount or speed of (something)
-
The company has stepped up production.
