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English Dictionary

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 step step /ˈstɛp/

noun

  1. () 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
  2. () 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
  3. () 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
  4. () 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
  5. () 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. A musical interval of two semitones  ( step , tone , whole step , whole tone )
    a musical interval of two semitones
  10. 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
  11. 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

  1. () Shift or move by taking a step  ( step )
    shift or move by taking a step
     Step back
    step back
  2. () 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
  3. 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
  4. Measure (distances) by pacing  ( step , pace )
    measure (distances) by pacing
     Step off ten yards
    step off ten yards
  5. Place (a ship's mast) in its step  ( step )
    place (a ship's mast) in its step
  6. 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
  7. Move with one's feet in a specific manner  ( step )
    move with one's feet in a specific manner
     Step lively
    step lively
  8. (architecture) furnish with steps  ( step )
    (architecture) furnish with steps
     The architect wants to step the terrace
    The architect wants to step the terrace
  9. 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
  10. Cause (a computer) to execute a single command  ( step )
    cause (a computer) to execute a single command