Meaning of 'step'

noun

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

Synonyms: measure

noun

the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down

Example: "The toddler walked with unsteady steps."

noun

a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance

Example: "I taught them the waltz step."

Synonyms: dance step

noun

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

Example: "I paused on the bottom step."

Synonyms: stair

noun

a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed

noun

a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface

Synonyms: footprint footmark

noun

a musical interval of two semitones

Synonyms: tone whole tone whole step

noun

the sound of a step of someone walking

Example: "I heard footsteps on the porch."

Synonyms: footstep footfall

noun

the distance covered by a step

Example: "They paced off ten steps from the old tree and began to dig."

Synonyms: stride pace footstep

noun

a short distance

Example: "it's only a step to the drugstore"

Synonyms: stone's throw

noun

relative position in a graded series

Example: "always a step behind"

Synonyms: gradation

verb

move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation

Example: "They stepped into a life of luxury."

verb

measure (distances) by pacing

Example: "step off ten yards"

Synonyms: pace

verb

place (a ship's mast) in its step

verb

shift or move by taking a step

Example: "step back"

verb

put down or press the foot, place the foot

Synonyms: tread

verb

walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner

Example: "step over to the blackboard"

verb

move with one's feet in a specific manner

Example: "step lively"

verb

furnish with steps

Example: "The architect wants to step the terrace"

verb

treat badly

Synonyms: abuse kick around mistreat maltreat ill-use ill-treat

verb

cause (a computer) to execute a single command