step  (st ĕp)
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n. 1. a. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking. b. A manner of walking; a particular gait. c. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step. d. The sound of a footstep. e. A footprint: steps in the mud. 2. a. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other. b. A very short distance: just a step away. c. steps Course; path: turned her steps toward home. 3. One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo. 4. a. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending. b. steps Stairs. c. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway. d. A low platform used for exercise, as in step aerobics. 5. a. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal. b. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions. 6. A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy. 7. Music a. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale, especially a major second, as between C and D in the scale of C major. b. A degree of a scale. 8. Nautical The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed. v. stepped, step·ping, steps v. intr. 1. To put or press the foot: step on the brake. 2. To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back. 3. To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner. 4. To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively. 5. To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease. 6. To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people. v. tr. 1. To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land. 2. To measure by pacing: step off ten yards. 3. To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside. 4. Computers To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction. 5. Nautical To place (a mast) in its step. Phrasal Verbs: step asideTo resign from a post, especially when being replaced. step down1. To resign from a high post. 2. To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power. step in1. To enter into an activity or a situation. 2. To intervene. step out1. To walk briskly. 2. To go outside for a short time. 3. Informal To go out for a special evening of entertainment. 4. To withdraw; quit. step up1. To increase, especially in stages: step up production. 2. To come forward: step up and be counted. 3. To improve one's performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time. Idioms: in step1. Moving in rhythm. 2. In conformity with one's environment: in step with the times. out of step1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step. 2. Not in conformity with one's environment: out of step with the times. step on itInformal To go faster; hurry.
[Middle English, from Old English stæpe, stepe.] | 
