noun
- a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking, running, or dancing.
- such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot: The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.
- the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.
- the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.
- a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint.
- the manner of walking; gait; stride.
- pace in marching: double-quick step.
- a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.
- steps, movements or course in walking or running: to retrace one’s steps.
- a move, act, or proceeding, as toward some end or in the general course of some action; stage, measure, or period: the five steps to success.
- rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.
- a support for the foot in ascending or descending: a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.
- a very short distance: She was never more than a step away from her children.
- a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.
- step aerobics.
- Music.
- a degree of the staff or of the scale.
- the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second.Compare semitone, whole step.
- steps, British. a stepladder.
- an offset part of anything.
- Nautical. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.
- Mining. a flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.