stepping–stone

stepping–stone /ˈstɛpÉȘƋˌstoʊn/ noun
plural stepping–stones
stepping–stone
/ˈstɛpÉȘƋˌstoʊn/
noun
plural stepping–stones
Britannica Dictionary definition of STEPPING–STONE
[count]
1 
: a large, flat stone that you step on to cross a stream
2 
: something that helps you get or achieve something