step
step /ˈstɛp/
noun
-
(
)
Any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
(
measure
, step
)
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
The situation called for strong measures
the situation called for strong measures
The police took steps to reduce crime
the police took steps to reduce crime
-
()
The distance covered by a step
(
stride
, footstep
, pace
, step
)
the distance covered by a step
He stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig
he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig
-
()
The act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
(
step
)
the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
He walked with unsteady steps
he walked with unsteady steps
-
()
Support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
(
stair
, step
)
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
He paused on the bottom step
he paused on the bottom step
-
()
Relative position in a graded series
(
gradation
, step
)
relative position in a graded series
Always a step behind
always a step behind
Subtle gradations in color
subtle gradations in color
Keep in step with the fashions
keep in step with the fashions
-
A sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
(
dance step
, step
)
a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
He taught them the waltz step
he taught them the waltz step
-
A solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed
(
step
)
a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed
-
A mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
(
footmark
, step
, footprint
)
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
The police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window
the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window
-
A musical interval of two semitones
(
step
, tone
, whole step
, whole tone
)
a musical interval of two semitones
-
The sound of a step of someone walking
(
footfall
, step
, footstep
)
the sound of a step of someone walking
He heard footsteps on the porch
he heard footsteps on the porch
-
A short distance
(
step
, stone's throw
)
a short distance
It's only a step to the drugstore
it's only a step to the drugstore
verb
-
()
Shift or move by taking a step
(
step
)
shift or move by taking a step
Step back
step back
-
()
Put down or press the foot, place the foot
(
tread
, step
)
put down or press the foot, place the foot
For fools rush in where angels fear to tread
For fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Step on the brake
step on the brake
-
Move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation
(
step
)
move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation
She stepped into a life of luxury
She stepped into a life of luxury
He won't step into his father's footsteps
he won't step into his father's footsteps
-
Measure (distances) by pacing
(
step
, pace
)
measure (distances) by pacing
Step off ten yards
step off ten yards
-
Place (a ship's mast) in its step
(
step
)
place (a ship's mast) in its step
-
Walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner
(
step
)
walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner
Step over to the blackboard
step over to the blackboard
-
Move with one's feet in a specific manner
(
step
)
move with one's feet in a specific manner
Step lively
step lively
-
(architecture) furnish with steps
(
step
)
(architecture) furnish with steps
The architect wants to step the terrace
The architect wants to step the terrace
-
Treat badly
(
ill-treat
, ill-use
, mistreat
, abuse
, maltreat
, step
)
treat badly
This boss abuses his workers
This boss abuses his workers
She is always stepping on others to get ahead
She is always stepping on others to get ahead
-
Cause (a computer) to execute a single command
(
step
)
cause (a computer) to execute a single command
