step (stĕp)
n.

1. 1. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.
   2. A manner of walking; a particular gait.
   3. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step.
   4. The sound of a footstep.
   5. A footprint: steps in the mud.
2. 1. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.
   2. A very short distance: just a step away.
   3. steps Course; path: turned her steps toward home.
3. One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.
4. 1. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.
   2. steps Stairs.
   3. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.
5. 1. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.
   2. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions.
6. A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy.
7. Music.
   1. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.
   2. A degree of a scale.
8. Nautical. The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.

v., stepped, step·ping, steps.

v.intr.

1. To put or press the foot: step on the brake.
2. To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back.
3. To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner.
4. To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively.
5. To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease.
6. To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people.

v.tr.

1. To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land.
2. To measure by pacing: step off ten yards.
3. To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside.
4. Computer Science. To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.
5. Nautical. To place (a mast) in its step.

phrasal verbs:

step aside

1. To resign from a post, especially when being replaced.

step down

1. To resign from a high post.
2. To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power.

step in

1. To enter into an activity or a situation.
2. To intervene.

step out

1. To walk briskly.
2. To go outside for a short time.
3. Informal. To go out for a special evening of entertainment.
4. To withdraw; quit.

step up

1. To increase, especially in stages: step up production.
2. To come forward: step up and be counted.
3. To improve one's performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time.

idioms:

in step

1. Moving in rhythm.
2. In conformity with one's environment: in step with the times.

out of step

1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step.
2. Not in conformity with one's environment: out of step with the times.

step by step

1. By degrees.

step on it Informal.

1. To go faster; hurry.

[Middle English, from Old English stæpe, stepe.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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