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step

n. · v.
US //ˈstɛp// UK //stˈɛp// step
  1. 1 movement of the foot (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the movement you make by lifting your foot and putting it down in a new place when walking.

    a single complete movement of the foot in walking or running, involving a change in position.

    Example

    He took a step forward to get a better look at the painting.

    Example

    With every step she took across the gravel path, the crunching sound echoed through the silent garden.
  2. 2 a stair (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a flat surface that you walk on to go up or down to a different level.

    a flat surface, especially one in a series, for the foot in ascending or descending.

    Example

    Be careful on the bottom step because the wood is a bit loose.

    Example

    The grand marble staircase consisted of thirty wide steps, each polished to a mirror-like finish that made the climb feel precarious.
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  1. 3 part of a process (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    one action in a series of actions that you take to achieve something.

    a distinct stage or phase in a multi-part process or sequence of actions.

    Example

    The first step in making a cake is to preheat the oven.

    Example

    Securing a reliable supplier is a critical step toward ensuring the long-term viability of the manufacturing project.
  2. 4 musical interval (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Music

    the distance in pitch between two notes that are next to each other.

    the interval between two contiguous degrees of a musical scale.

    Example

    In a major scale, the distance between the first and second notes is a whole step.

    Example

    The melody moves primarily by step, avoiding large leaps to maintain a smooth and lyrical vocal quality.
  3. 5 family member (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a short way to say stepchild or stepsibling.

    a colloquial clipping for a relative related by a parent's remarriage rather than blood.

    Example

    She gets along really well with her step and they go hiking every weekend.

    Example

    While the legal documents specified 'stepchildren', the family simply referred to them as the 'steps' in casual conversation.
    • stepchild
    • stepsibling
  4. 6 to move the foot (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to lift your foot and put it down in a different place.

    to move by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position; often used with directional particles.

    Example

    Please step aside so the people behind you can see the screen.

    Example

    He stepped cautiously onto the frozen lake, testing the thickness of the ice with his weight before proceeding further.
  5. 7 to be confrontational (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    to challenge someone or act like you want to fight.

    to behave in a confrontational or aggressive manner toward someone.

    Example

    He was acting tough and trying to step to me in front of his friends.

    Example

    The rival gang member tried to step to the leader, but the tension was defused before a physical altercation occurred.
    • back down
Etymology 1

From Middle English steppen, from Old English steppan (“to step, go, proceed, advance”), stepe (“step”), from Proto-West Germanic stappjan, from Proto-Germanic stapjaną (“to step”), stapiz (“step”), from Proto-Indo-European stebʰ- (“to support, stomp, curse, be amazed”). Cognate with West Frisian stappe (“to step”), North Frisian stape (“to walk, trudge”), Dutch stappen (“to step, walk”), Walloon steper (“to walk away, leave”), German stapfen (“to trudge, stomp, plod”) and further to Slavic Polish stąpać (“to stomp, stamp, step, tread”), Russian ступать (stupatʹ) and Polish stopień (“step, stair, rung, degree”), Russian степень (stepenʹ). Related to stamp, stomp.

Etymology 2

Clipping of stepchild and stepsibling.

Idioms21 entries

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