steps Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
   stairs.
   
2. noun the course along which a person has walked or is walking in
   
   • I followed in his steps
   • he retraced his steps
   • his steps turned toward home
3. noun any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
   step; measure.
   
   • the situation called for strong measures
   • the police took steps to reduce crime
4. noun the distance covered by a step
   pace; footstep; step; stride.
   
   • he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig
5. noun the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
   step.
   
   • he walked with unsteady steps
6. noun support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
   step; stair.
   
   • he paused on the bottom step
7. noun relative position in a graded series
   step; gradation.
   
   • always a step behind
   • subtle gradations in color
   • keep in step with the fashions
8. noun a short distance
   step; stone's throw.
   
   • it's only a step to the drugstore
9. noun the sound of a step of someone walking
   footstep; step; footfall.
   
   • he heard footsteps on the porch
10. noun a musical interval of two semitones
    whole step; step; tone; whole tone.
    
11. noun a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
    footprint; step; footmark.
    
    • the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window
12. noun a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed
    step.
    
13. noun a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
    step; dance step.
    
    • he taught them the waltz step
14. verb shift or move by taking a step
    step.
    
    • step back
15. verb put down or press the foot, place the foot
    step; tread.
    
    • For fools rush in where angels fear to tread
    • step on the brake
16. verb cause (a computer) to execute a single command
    step.
    
17. verb treat badly
    ill-use; ill-treat; maltreat; step; abuse; mistreat.
    
    • This boss abuses his workers
    • She is always stepping on others to get ahead
18. verb furnish with steps
    step.
    
    • The architect wants to step the terrace
19. verb move with one's feet in a specific manner
    step.
    
    • step lively
20. verb walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner
    step.
    
    • step over to the blackboard
21. verb place (a ship's mast) in its step
    step.
    
22. verb measure (distances) by pacing
    pace; step.
    
    • step off ten yards
23. verb move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation
    step.
    
    • She stepped into a life of luxury
    • he won't step into his father's footsteps

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