step
stehp
Step (noun) means a single movement of the foot when walking, or one of a set of surfaces used to go up or down, as on a staircase. Example: “Watch your step on the icy pavement.”
noun
1
A single movement of the foot when walking, or one of a set of surfaces used to go up or down, as on a staircase.
"Watch your step on the icy pavement."
"He climbed the steps two at a time."
"She sat on the bottom step to tie her shoelaces."
2
One stage in a process or sequence.
"The first step is to gather all the ingredients."
"Signing the contract was the final step in closing the deal."
"Reading the instructions carefully is an important step before you start assembling the shelf."
verb
1
To move by lifting and placing one foot in front of the other.
"She stepped carefully over the puddle."
"He stepped outside to take the call."
"He stepped back from the edge of the platform when the train arrived."
How to use step
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA single movement forward with the foot, a stair, or one part of a larger process.
Common pairings
take a step
step by step
step forward
the next step
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Word forms
- Plural
- steps
- Third person singular
- steps
- Past tense
- stepped, stept, stope
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Watch your _____ on the icy pavement.
Etymology
From Old English steppan, "to step, go, advance," related to the words "stamp" and "stomp."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “step” mean?
The word “step” means a single movement of the foot when walking, or one of a set of surfaces used to go up or down, as on a staircase. In plain terms, a single movement forward with the foot, a stair, or one part of a larger process.
How do you pronounce “step”?
“Step” is pronounced stehp (/stɛp/ in IPA).
How do you use “step” in a sentence?
Here is “step” used in a sentence: “Watch your step on the icy pavement.”
What part of speech is “step”?
Depending on how it is used, “step” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “step” come from?
The word “step” comes from Old English. From Old English steppan, "to step, go, advance," related to the words "stamp" and "stomp.".
Is “step” a common word?
“Step” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “step” have?
“Step” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single movement of the foot when walking, or one of a set of surfaces used to go up or down, as on a staircase.
What is the difference between a step and a stair?
A step is a single surface you place your foot on, or one movement of the foot. A stair usually means the same single unit, but the plural, stairs, refers to the whole flight together. So one step is part of a set of stairs, and many steps make up a staircase.
What is the difference between a step and a stride?
A step is one ordinary movement of the foot in walking. A stride is a longer, more deliberate step, or the full distance covered from one footfall to the next. People take small steps when moving carefully and long strides when walking quickly or confidently. A stride simply covers more ground.
What are the different meanings of step?
Step has several senses. It can be a single movement of the foot, or a surface on a staircase. It also means one stage in a process, as in 'the next step,' and an action taken toward a goal, as in 'taking steps to improve.' Context shows which meaning applies.
What is an example of step in a sentence?
'She climbed the last step to reach the door' shows the staircase meaning. 'He took a step forward' shows the walking sense. 'The first step in baking is measuring the flour' shows a stage in a process. Each uses step differently while keeping the idea of a single, distinct move.
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