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Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: step- combining form - indicating relationship through the previous marriage of a spouse or parent rather than by blood: stepson, stepfather
Etymology: Old English stēop-; compare āstӯpan to bereave step /stɛp/USA pronunciation n., v., stepped, step•ping. n. [countable] - a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, as in walking:He took a few steps to the right.
- the space passed over by one such movement:The edge is just a few steps to your left.
- the sound made by the foot in making such a movement:I heard steps outside in the hallway.
- a mark made by the foot on the ground;
a footprint:Look at the steps someone has left in the soft mud. - a manner of stepping;
stride:She has a heavy step when she walks. - steps, [plural] movements or course in stepping or walking:We were lost, so we decided to retrace our steps.
- any of a series of stages in a process or in achieving some goal:the five steps to success.
- a support for the foot in ascending or descending:the steps of a ladder; We sat on the porch steps.
v. - to move in steps:[no object]She stepped lightly out the door.
- to walk, esp. for a short distance:[no object]Step over to my office.
- to put the foot down;
tread:[no object]Don't step on the grass. - step down, [no object]
- to lower or decrease by degrees.
- to give up one's authority;
resign:He finally stepped down when it was clear that he had no support.
- step in, [no object] to become involved;
intervene:The United Nations was asked to step in. - step on, [~ + on + object] to press with the foot, as on a lever or spring, in order to operate some mechanism:He stepped on the gas (pedal) and the car zoomed away.
- step out, [no object] to leave a place, esp. for a short time:Ms. Jones has just stepped out of the office for a moment.
- step up:
- [~ + up + object] to raise by degrees:We have stepped up our efforts to recruit more teachers.
- [no object] to be promoted;
advance:He stepped up quickly through the ranks.
Idioms- Idioms in (or out of ) step:
- in (or not in) time to a beat, as while marching together:The marching band couldn't stay in step when they made turns.
- in (or not in) harmony or agreement with others:He's out of step with the rest of the scientific community.
- Idioms step by step, gradually;
by stages:We made progress step by step. - Idioms step on it or on the gas, [Informal.]to move more quickly;
hurry:Step on it or we'll be late. - Idioms take steps, to employ necessary actions:What steps have you taken to prevent future catastrophes?
- Idioms watch one's step, to proceed with caution:You'd better watch your step in that part of town.
step•per, n. [countable]step-, prefix. - step- is attached to words to name a member of a family related by the remarriage of a parent and not by blood:When my father married his second wife, she already had a son who became my stepbrother.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024step (step),USA pronunciation n., v., stepped, step•ping.
n. - a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking, running, or dancing.
- such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot:The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.
- the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.
- the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.
- a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground;
footprint. - the manner of walking;
gait;
stride. - pace in marching:double-quick step.
- a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.
- steps, movements or course in walking or running:to retrace one's steps.
- a move, act, or proceeding, as toward some end or in the general course of some action;
stage, measure, or period:the five steps to success. - rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.
- a support for the foot in ascending or descending:a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.
- a very short distance:She was never more than a step away from her children.
- a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.
- Music and Dance
- a degree of the staff or of the scale.
- the interval between two adjacent scale degrees;
second. Cf. semitone, whole step.
- British Terms steps, a stepladder.
- an offset part of anything.
- Nautical, Naval Termsa socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.
- Mininga flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.
- break step, to interrupt or cease walking or marching in step:The marching units were allowed to break step after they had passed the reviewing stand.
- in step:
- moving in time to a rhythm or with the corresponding step of others.
- in harmony or conformity with:They are not in step with the times.
- keep step, to keep pace;
stay in step:The construction of classrooms and the training of teachers have not kept step with population growth. - out of step:
- not in time to a rhythm or corresponding to the step of others.
- not in harmony or conformity with:They are out of step with the others in their group.
- step by step:
- from one stage to the next in sequence.
- gradually and steadily:We were shown the steelmaking process step by step.
- take steps, to set about putting something into operation;
begin to act:I will take steps to see that your application is processed. - watch one's step, to proceed with caution;
behave prudently:If she doesn't watch her step, she will be fired from her job.
v.i. - to move, go, etc., by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, or by using the feet alternately in this manner:to step forward.
- to walk, or go on foot, esp. for a few strides or a short distance:Step over to the bar.
- to move with measured steps, as in a dance.
- to go briskly or fast, as a horse.
- to obtain, find, win, come upon, etc., something easily and naturally, as if by a mere step of the foot:to step into a good business opportunity.
- to put the foot down;
tread by intention or accident:to step on a cat's tail. - to press with the foot, as on a lever, spring, or the like, in order to operate some mechanism.
v.t. - to take (a step, pace, stride, etc.).
- to go through or perform the steps of (a dance).
- Music and Danceto move or set (the foot) in taking a step.
- to measure (a distance, ground, etc.) by steps (sometimes fol. by off or out).
- to make or arrange in the manner of a series of steps.
- Nautical, Naval Termsto fix (a mast) in its step.
- step down:
- to lower or decrease by degrees.
- to relinquish one's authority or control;
resign:Although he was past retirement age, he refused to step down and let his son take over the business.
- step in, to become involved;
intervene, as in a quarrel or fight:The brawl was well under way by the time the police stepped in. - Informal Terms step on it, to hasten one's activity or steps;
hurry up:If we don't step on it, we'll miss the show. - step out:
- to leave a place, esp. for a brief period of time.
- to walk or march at a more rapid pace.
- to go out to a social gathering or on a date:We're stepping out tonight.
- step up:
- to raise or increase by degrees:to step up production.
- to be promoted;
advance. - to make progress;
improve.
- bef. 900; (verb, verbal) Middle English steppen, Old English steppan; cognate with Old High German stepfen; akin to stamp; (noun, nominal) Middle English; Old English stepe
- a prefix denoting connection between members of a family by the remarriage of a parent and not by blood:stepbrother.
- Middle English; Old English stēop-; cognate with German stief-, Old Norse stjūp- step-; akin to Old English āstēpan to bereave, bestēpan to deprive (of children)
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