step

noun

1. 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.
2. such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot: The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.
3. the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.
4. the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.
5. a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint.
6. the manner of walking; gait; stride.
7. pace in marching: double-quick step.
8. a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.
9. steps, movements or course in walking or running: to retrace one’s steps.
10. 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.
11. rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.
12. a support for the foot in ascending or descending: a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.
13. a very short distance: She was never more than a step away from her children.
14. a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.
15. step aerobics.
16. Music.
    1. a degree of the staff or of the scale.
    2. the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second.Compare semitone, whole step.
17. steps, British. a stepladder.
18. an offset part of anything.
19. Nautical. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.
20. Mining. a flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.