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Step Very Common

Step has 24 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

"the situation called for strong measures"

"the police took steps to reduce crime"

2

the distance covered by a step

"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

"he walked with unsteady steps"

4

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

"he paused on the bottom step"

5

relative position in a graded series

"always a step behind"

"subtle gradations in color"

"keep in step with the fashions"

6

a short distance

"it's only a step to the drugstore"

7

the sound of a step of someone walking

"he heard footsteps on the porch"

8

a musical interval of two semitones

"The pianist played a perfect fifth, which consists of seven steps within the chromatic scale."

9

a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface

"the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window"

10

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

"The old sailor carefully positioned his heavy boot on the worn step before hauling the mainsail up against the morning wind."

11

a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance

"he taught them the waltz step"

12

An advance or movement made from one foot to the other; a pace.

"She took a quick step forward as the bus pulled away from the curb."

In plain English: A step is a single movement you make with your foot when walking or running.

"He took a careful step forward to avoid the puddle."

Verb
1

shift or move by taking a step

"step back"

2

put down or press the foot, place the foot

"For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"

"step on the brake"

3

cause (a computer) to execute a single command

"Please step through that script line by line so we can see exactly where the error occurs."

4

treat badly

"This boss abuses his workers"

"She is always stepping on others to get ahead"

5

furnish with steps

"The architect wants to step the terrace"

6

move with one's feet in a specific manner

"step lively"

7

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

"step over to the blackboard"

8

place (a ship's mast) in its step

"The carpenter carefully lowered the mainmast into its designated step to secure it against the storm."

9

measure (distances) by pacing

"step off ten yards"

10

move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation

"She stepped into a life of luxury"

"he won't step into his father's footsteps"

11

To move the foot in walking; to advance or recede by raising and moving one of the feet to another resting place, or by moving both feet in succession.

"She paused to take a careful step on the icy patch before continuing down the path."

In plain English: To step is to lift your foot and put it down on the ground to move forward.

"He stepped over the puddle to get to the other side of the road."

Usage: Use this verb when describing the physical act of lifting a foot during movement rather than jumping. It is often confused with "step on," which specifically means placing weight upon something, so choose carefully based on whether you are emphasizing motion or contact.

Proper Noun
1

Initialism of Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

"Before departing for my study abroad semester, I made sure to register on STEP to stay connected with the embassy while overseas."

Example Sentences
"He took a careful step forward to avoid the puddle." noun
"He stepped over the puddle to get to the other side of the road." verb
"I need to step over the puddle on my way home." verb
"Please step aside so I can pass through the door." verb
"She stepped carefully down the narrow staircase at night." verb
See Also
walking stair walk foot movement triple jump stairs pace
Related Terms
walking stair walk foot movement triple jump stairs pace action unit up single one stair ladder staircase small double time tread fenderboard stepwork
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
maneuver indefinite quantity locomotion support rank small indefinite quantity sound interval mark block travel run treat supply walk put quantify move
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
countermeasure shark repellent precaution pace pas trip sidestep footstep corbel step cut tramp footprint evidence moonwalk chasse glissade backpedal step on kick around

Origin

The word "step" comes from Old English words meaning to take a step or move forward. It ultimately traces back to an ancient root that originally meant to support, stomp, or even express amazement.

Rhyming Words
tep hotep bestep instep unstep upstep dubstep substep in step brostep airstep misstep catstep imhotep pawstep outstep crowstep doorstep hardstep sidestep
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