Skip to content

step

Dictionary definition · step

noun

  1. any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal"the situation called for strong measures"
  2. the distance covered by a step"he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig"
  3. the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down"he walked with unsteady steps"
  4. support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway"he paused on the bottom step"
  5. relative position in a graded series"always a step behind"
  6. a short distance"it's only a step to the drugstore"

verb

  1. shift or move by taking a step"step back"
  2. put down or press the foot, place the foot"For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"
  3. cause (a computer) to execute a single command
  4. treat badly"This boss abuses his workers"
  5. furnish with steps"The architect wants to step the terrace"
  6. move with one's feet in a specific manner"step lively"

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).