step
n. countablen. one movement of your foot when you are walking or running. It can also mean one part of a process or a plan to reach a goal.
n. a single movement of the foot in walking or running, or the distance covered by such a movement. It also designates one action in a series of actions intended to achieve a specific result.
He took a step forward to see the map better.
The first step in learning a new language is often the most difficult one to take.
The government's latest policy represents a significant step toward resolving the housing crisis, though critics argue that further legislative measures are still required.
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.
Clipping of stepchild and stepsibling.
Commonly used with the verbs 'take' or 'follow'.
I did a stepI took a stepIn English, you 'take' a step rather than 'do' or 'make' one when referring to physical movement.