step

I. step¹ S2 W1 /step/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: stæpe]
1. MOVEMENT [countable] the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking:
a video of baby’s first steps
He took one step and fell.
step back/forwards/towards etc
Tom took a step back and held the door open.
I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop.
2. ACTION [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed
step in (doing) something
This is the first step in reforming the welfare system.
step to do something
The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting.
step towards
an important step towards peace
3. IN A PROCESS [countable] a stage in a process, or a position on a scale:
Each book goes up one step in difficulty.
Record your result, and go on to step 3.
step in
the next step in the process
Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage).
Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal.
Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up (=something that is better than you had before) for my parents.
He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than he had before).
4.
STAIR [countable] a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building:
Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting.
He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell.
a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps ⇨ doorstep¹(1)
5. DISTANCE [countable] the short distance you move when you take a step while walking SYN pace:
Roy was standing only a few steps away.
6. SOUND [countable] the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking SYN footstep:
I heard a step in the corridor.
7. DANCING [countable] a movement of your feet in dancing:
the steps for the Charleston
8. in step
a) having ideas or actions that are like those of other people
in step with
He isn’t in step with ordinary voters.
b) moving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with
9. out of step
a) having ideas or actions that are different from those of other people
out of step with
This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry.
b) moving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with
10. watch your step (also mind your step British English)
a) to be careful about what you say or how you behave:
You’d better watch your step – he’s the boss here.
b) to be careful when you are walking:
Mind your step – the railing’s loose.
11. fall into step (with somebody)
a) to start walking beside someone at the same speed as them:
Maggie fell into step beside her.
b) to start thinking or doing the same as other people:
The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue.
12. be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody)
a) to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else:
A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students.
b) to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you
13. WAY SOMEBODY WALKS [countable usually singular] the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling:
Gianni’s usual bouncy step
14. steps [plural] British English a stepladder
15. EXERCISE [uncountable] a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15–30 centimetres high:
a step class
16. MUSIC [countable] American English the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano SYN tone British English
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ take a step The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family.
■ adjectives
▪ an important/major/big step The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms.
▪ the first step The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants.
▪ the next step He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step.
▪ a small step This is a small step in the right direction.
▪ a positive step (=an action that will have a good effect) This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism.
▪ an unusual/unprecedented step (=something that is not usually done/has never been done before) Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him.
▪ a drastic step The government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment.
▪ a bold step We welcome the bold step taken by President Bush.
▪ a tentative step (=a small action, which is not done in a very determined way) The Institute has taken a tentative step towards opening up its meetings to the public.
▪ a logical step She felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over.
▪ immediate steps We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs.
▪ reasonable steps They must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit.
▪ necessary steps We must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here.
■ phrases
▪ a step forward (=an action that makes things better) The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations.
▪ a step backwards/a backward step (=an action that makes things worse) A rationing system would be a major step backwards.
▪ a step in the right direction (=an action that helps to improve things) Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

step

step [step steps stepped stepping] noun, verb [step] [step]

noun

MOVEMENT/SOUND
1. countable the act of lifting your foot and putting it down in order to walk or move somewhere; the sound this makes
• a baby's first steps
• He took a step towards the door.
• We heard steps outside.

see also footstep, goose-step

WAY OF WALKING

2. countable, usually singular the way that sb walks
• He walked with a quick light step.

• There was a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

DISTANCE

3. countable the distance that you cover when you take a step
• It's only a few steps further.
• He turned around and retraced his steps (= went back the way he had come).
• She moved a step closer to me.

• The hotel is only a short step from the beach.

IN SERIES/PROCESS

4. countable one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth
• This was a first step towards a united Europe.
• It's a big step giving up your job and moving halfway across the world.
• We are taking steps to prevent pollution.
• This won't solve the problem but it's a step in the right direction.
• The new drug is a major step forward in the treatment of the disease.

• Closing the factory would be a retrograde step.

5. countable one of a series of things that sb does or that happen, which forms part of a process
Syn: stage
• Having completed the first stage, you can move on to step 2.
• I'd like to take this idea a step further.
• This was a big step up (= to a better position) in his career.
• I'll explain it to you step by step.

• a step-by-step guide to building your own home

STAIR

6. countable a surface that you put your foot on in order to walk to a higher or lower level, especially one of a series
• She was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase.
• We walked down some stone steps to the beach.
• A short flight of steps led up to the door.

see also doorstep

IN DANCE

7. countable, usually plural a series of movements that you make with your feet and which form a dance
• Do you know the steps of this dance?

see also quickstep

EXERCISE

8. uncountable (often in compounds) a type of exercise that you do by stepping on and off a raised piece of equipment
• step aerobics

• a step class

LADDER

9. steps plural (BrE) a stepladder
• a pair of steps

• We need the steps to get into the attic.

IN MUSIC

10. countable (NAmE) the interval between two notes that are next to each other in a scale
compare tone (⁷), semitone
Word Origin:
Old English stæpe, stepe (noun), stæppan, steppan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch steppen and German stapfen.
Thesaurus:
step noun
1. C
• I took a step forward.
pace • • stride • • footstep •
take a few steps/paces/strides (back/forward/to sth/towards sth)
take a step/pace (backwards)
hear (sb's) steps/footsteps
2. C
• This was a first step towards a united Europe.
move • • measure • • action • • act • • procedure • • gesture •
a/an step/move/measure/action/act/gesture by sb
make a step/move/gesture (towards sb)
take steps/measures/actions
3.
• I'll explain it step by step.
stage • • round •
the first/initial/preliminary/opening/second/final/last step/stage/round
successive steps/stages/rounds
a/an important/critical/crucial/key/difficult step/stage
Synonyms:
action
measure • step • act • move
These are all words for a thing that sb does.
action • a thing that sb does: ▪ Her quick action saved the child's life.
measure • an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim: ▪ Tougher measures against racism are needed.
step • one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth: ▪ This was a first step towards a united Europe.
act • a thing that sb does: ▪ an act of kindness
action or act?
These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc.: ▪ a heroic act of bravery ◊ a heroic action of bravery ◊ ▪ his heroic actions/acts during the war. Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.
move • (used especially in journalism) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth: ▪ They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
to take action/measures/steps
to make a step/move
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move
Example Bank:
• Greece moved a step closer to the final with last night's win.
• He executed some dance steps for the judges.
• He executed some jive steps on the pavement.
• He grew fainter with every step.
• He lagged a few steps behind.
• He took a hesitant step towards her.
• He was out of step with the music.
• He'd only gone a few steps when he realized he'd left his keys behind.
• I gasped and took an involuntary step back.
• I had a spring in my step when I walked into that office for the last time.
• I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right.
• If he goes one step further with this crazy idea, I'll resign.
• If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong.
• It suddenly struck her that having a baby was an irrevocable step.
• It's only a short step from disorder to complete chaos.
• Mind the step!
• One false step could mean disaster.
• She had trouble keeping in step with the others.
• She paused on the top step.
• She was only a step away from the cliff edge.
• She went up a flight of steps to the side entrance.
• She's always one step ahead of the competition.
• The front steps lead to an enormous terrace.
• The move was a first step in establishing a union.
• The new law is seen by many as a backward step.
• The new speed limit does not solve the problem, but it is a step in the right direction.
• The offer constitutes a considerable step forward.
• The talks mark a step towards peace.
• There are three steps down to the garden.
• They have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy.
• This can only be seen as a step backward.
• We shall take all necessary steps to prevent public disorder.
• We've moved a step closer to independence.
• What's the next step?
• You have to go up four flights of steps to get up to the roof.
• You might find your ticket if you retrace your steps back to the car.
• a step-by-step guide to setting up an aquarium
• He turned and retraced his steps.
• I could hear his steps coming closer.
• I quickened my step.
• I recognized her quick light step.
• I was growing more and more nervous with every step.
• I'd like to take this idea a step further.
• I'll explain it to you step by step.
• Keep on moving— it's only a few steps further.
• Take two steps forward and one step back.
• The promotion was a big step up in his career.
• There was a new spring in his step.
• This won't solve the problem but it's a step in the right direction.
• What I need is a step-by-step guide to building your own home.
• the baby's first steps
Idioms: break step ▪ fall into step ▪ in of step ▪ mind your step ▪ one step forward, two steps back ▪ out of line ▪ step ahead ▪ step at a time ▪ step into somebody's shoes ▪ step into the breach ▪ step on it ▪ step on somebody's toes ▪ step out of line ▪ step up to the plate

Derived: step back ▪ step down ▪ step forward ▪ step in ▪ step out ▪ step something up ▪ step up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

step / step / noun (STAGE)

B2 [ C ] a stage in a process:

What's the next step in the programme?

We must stay one step ahead of our competitors.

Most people believe that the decision to cut interest rates was a step in the right direction .

Let's take things a step/ one step at a time (= slowly) .

Following the success of our products in Europe, our logical next step is to move into the American market.

B2 [ C ] an action in a series of actions taken for a particular purpose:

The country is taking its first tentative steps towards democracy.

We need to take drastic steps to reduce pollution.

The president took the unusual step of altering his prepared speech in order to condemn the terrorist attack.

step by step C1 dealing with one thing and then another thing in a fixed order:

step-by-step instructions

Don't worry - I'll go through the procedure with you step by step.

step / step / noun (STAIR)

B1 [ C ] one of the surfaces that you walk on when you go up or down stairs:

a flight of steps

We had to climb some steps to reach the front door.

I asked them to leave the parcel on the (front) step (= outside the door to the house) .

Mind the step as you leave the train.

It's difficult for people in wheelchairs to negotiate (= move up and down) steps.

One of the steps on the ladder is broken.

steps [ plural ] another word for stepladder :

kitchen steps

library steps

step / step / noun (FOOT MOVEMENT)

B1 [ C ] the act of lifting one foot and putting it down on a different part of the ground, such as when you walk or run:

Sophie took her first steps when she was eleven months old.

He rose to his feet and took a couple of steps towards her.

With every step, her feet hurt her more and more.

I retraced my steps, looking for my lost keys.

→ See also footstep

[ C ] the distance you cover when you take a step:

I'd only gone a few steps down the road when I realized I'd forgotten to lock the door.

[ U ] the way you move your feet when you are walking or running, which can sometimes show how you are feeling:

She walked out of the office with a spring in her step (= in a way that showed she was happy) .

The driver told us to mind/watch our step (= walk carefully) as we got off the bus.

[ C ] a particular movement that you make with your feet when you dance:

She's teaching me some basic dance steps.

in step When people walk in step, they lift their feet off the ground and put them down again at the same time:

The soldiers marched in step.

describes opinions, ideas, or ways of living that are the same as those of other people:

Television companies need to keep in step with public opinion.

out of step When someone is out of step, they do not lift the same foot and put it down again at the same time as other people:

I'm no good at dancing - I always get hopelessly out of step.

describes opinions, ideas, or ways of living that are different from those of other people:

The Republicans are out of step with the country, Williams said.

He thinks that everyone is out of step except him.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

step

[ste̱p]
♦
steps, stepping, stepped
1) N-COUNT If you take a step, you lift your foot and put it down in a different place, for example when you are walking.
  I took a step towards him...
  She walked on a few steps...
  I followed her, five steps behind...
  He heard steps in the corridor.
2) VERB If you step on something or step in a particular direction, you put your foot on the thing or move your foot in that direction.
  [V prep/adv] This was the moment when Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the Moon...
  [V prep/adv] She accidentally stepped on his foot on a crowded commuter train...
  [V prep/adv] I tried to step back, but he held my upper arms too tightly.
3) N-COUNT Steps are a series of surfaces at increasing or decreasing heights, on which you put your feet in order to walk up or down to a different level.
  This little room was along a passage and down some steps...
  A flight of stone steps leads to the terrace.
  Syn:
  stairs
4) N-COUNT A step is a raised flat surface in front of a door.
→ See also doorstep
  A little girl was sitting on the step of the end house...
  Leave empty milk bottles on the step.
5) N-COUNT: oft N prep/adv A step is one of a series of actions that you take in order to achieve something.
  He greeted the agreement as the first step towards peace...
  She is not content with her present lot and wishes to take steps to improve it...
  The elections were a step in the right direction, but there is a lot more to be done.
6) N-COUNT A step in a process is one of a series of stages.
  The next step is to put the theory into practice...
  Aristotle took the scientific approach a step further.
  Syn:
  stage
7) N-COUNT The steps of a dance are the sequences of foot movements which make it up.
  Syn:
  movement
8) N-SING: poss N Someone's step is the way they walk.
  He quickened his step...
  There was a real spring in her step.
9) N-PLURAL Steps are the same as a stepladder. [BRIT]
10) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you stay one step ahead of someone or something, you manage to achieve more than they do or avoid competition or danger from them.
  Successful travel is partly a matter of keeping one step ahead of the crowd...
  Businessmen cluster together to get ideas, tips, personal contacts anything to get a step ahead of the computer.
  ...nations only a few steps ahead of famine.
11) PHRASE: PHR after v If people who are walking or dancing are in step, they are moving their feet forward at exactly the same time as each other. If they are out of step, their feet are moving forward at different times.
  They were almost the same height and they moved perfectly in step...
  They jogged in silence a while, faces lowered, out of step...
  She slipped her hand into his and fell into step beside him.
12) PHRASE: usu PHR with n If people are in step with each other, their ideas or opinions are the same. If they are out of step with each other, their ideas or opinions are different.
  Moscow is anxious to stay in step with Washington...
  The British Government is once more out of step with world opinion.
13) PHRASE If you tell someone to step on it, you are telling them to go faster or hurry up. [INFORMAL]
  We've only got thirty-five minutes so step on it.
  Syn:
  hurry up
14) PHRASE: PHR with v, PHR n If you do something step by step, you do it by progressing gradually from one stage to the next.
  I am not rushing things and I'm taking it step by step...
  Follow our simple step-by-step instructions.
15) PHRASE If someone tells you to watch your step, they are warning you to be careful about how you behave or what you say so that you do not get into trouble.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - step aside
  - step back
  - step down
  - step aside
  - step in
  - step out
  - step up
  Syn:
  be careful

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹step /ˈstɛp/ noun, pl steps
1 [count]
a : a movement made by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place
• counting our steps
• She took one step forward/backward.
• The baby took her first steps today.
• He had to retrace his steps [=go back along the way he had come] to find his keys.
b : the sound of a foot making a step : footstep
• I heard steps on the stairs.
c : the distance covered in one step
• The edge of the cliff was only about three steps to my left. also; : a short distance
• The cottage is just steps from the beach.
d : a mark left by a foot or shoe : footprint
• steps in the sand
2 [singular] : the way that someone walks
• He walks with a spring in his step.
• She walked down the hall with a quick/light step.
- see also goose step, lockstep
3 [count] : one of a series of actions that are done to achieve something
• a major/important step towards independence
• We are taking steps to correct the situation.
• The court's decision is a step backward/forward for the reform movement. [=it is something that will hurt/help the reform movement]
• Exercise won't solve all your health problems, but it's a step in the right direction. [=it will improve your health]
• They're taking baby steps. [=they're doing minor things that produce only a small amount of progress toward achieving something]
4 [count] : a stage in a process
• We're in the first/intermediate/last steps of the negotations.
• She's one step nearer/closer to graduation.
• I want to take it a step further. [=I want to move to the next stage in the process]
• He was criticized at every step. = He was criticized every step of the way.
• We'll guide you through the process step by step.
• Let's take this one step at a time.
5 [count] : a level or rank in a scale
• a step above/below average
• a step beyond what was expected
• The new job is a step up/down for her. [=the new job is more/less important, challenging, etc., than the job she had before]
6 [count] : the flat piece of wood, stone, etc., that forms one of the levels of a staircase
• They sat on the steps in front of the house.
• The top step [=stair] squeaks when you step on it.
- see picture at house; see also doorstep
7 [count] : a movement or pattern of movements made by someone who is dancing
• a ballet step
• dance steps
8 US music : the distance from one tone of a musical scale to the next

[count]

• The melody moves up/down a step.

[noncount]

• The melody moves upward by step [=in a series of steps] from D to C.
- see also half step, whole step
9 [count] : a piece of exercise equipment consisting of a small platform that you use by stepping on and off it
• Working out with a step can be very rigorous.
- see also step aerobics
10 steps [plural] Brit : stepladder
a/one step ahead of
1 : better prepared than (someone or something)
• The teacher really has to work to keep one step ahead of the class.
• She always seems to be one step ahead of me.
2 : able to avoid being caught or found by (someone or something)
• So far the killer has managed to stay one step ahead of the police/law. [=managed to avoid being caught by the police]
break step : to stop walking or marching with the same rhythm as another person or group of people
• The soldier was startled and broke step.
fall into step : to begin walking or marching with the same rhythm as another person or group of people
• He fell into step beside her and struck up a conversation.
in step
1 : with the same rhythm as someone or something
• They walked in step down the avenue.
- usually + with
• We danced in step with the music.
2 : matching or agreeing with someone or something
• She's in step with people her age. [=she has the same ideas, problems, etc., as other people her age]
• The practice is not in step with modern morality.
mind/watch your step
1 : to walk carefully
• It's slippery, so watch your step.
2 : to speak or behave carefully
• You'd better watch your step with me, young lady.
out of step
1 : not moving with the same rhythm as someone or something
• One of the dancers was out of step.
2 : not matching or agreeing with someone or something
• Her fashion sense is completely out of step.
- often + with
• She's out of step with current fashion.
• Critics say the rule is out of step with the times. [=the rule does not agree with the ideas that are popular or important now]
- step·like /ˈstɛpˌlaɪk/ adj
- stepped /ˈstɛpt/ adj
• a stepped pyramid [=a pyramid with sides made of steps]