step meaning and definition

STEP noun

Definition of step (noun)

1. any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
   • "the situation called for strong measures"; "the police took steps to reduce crime"
   • synonyms: measure
2. the distance covered by a step
   • "he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig"
   • synonyms: footstep, pace, stride
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"
   • synonyms: stair
5. relative position in a graded series
   • "always a step behind"; "subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with the fashions"
   • synonyms: gradation
6. a short distance
   • "it's only a step to the drugstore"
   • synonyms: stone's throw
7. the sound of a step of someone walking
   • "he heard footsteps on the porch"
   • synonyms: footfall, footstep
8. a musical interval of two semitones
   • synonyms: tone, whole step, whole tone
9. a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
   • "the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window"
   • synonyms: footmark, footprint
10. a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed
11. a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
    • "he taught them the waltz step"
    • synonyms: dance step

STEP verb

Definition of step (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"; "step on the brake"
   • synonyms: tread
3. cause (a computer) to execute a single command
4. treat badly
   • "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
   • synonyms: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat
5. furnish with steps
   • "The architect wants to step the terrace"
6. move with one's feet in a specific manner
   • "step lively"
7. walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner
   • "step over to the blackboard"
8. place (a ship's mast) in its step
9. measure (distances) by pacing
   • "step off ten yards"
   • synonyms: pace
10. move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation
    • "She stepped into a life of luxury"; "he won't step into his father's footsteps"