step

English Dictionary -> Letter S -> step

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step Definition

(n) any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the situation called for strong measures"; "the police took steps to reduce crime"
(n) the distance covered by a step; "he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig"
(n) the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down; "he walked with unsteady steps"
(n) support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway; "he paused on the bottom step"
(n) relative position in a graded series; "always a step behind"; "subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with the fashions"
(n) a short distance; "it''s only a step to the drugstore"
(n) the sound of a step of someone walking; "he heard footsteps on the porch"
(n) a musical interval of two semitones
(n) a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface; "the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window"
(n) a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship''s mast or capstan is fixed
(n) a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance; "he taught them the waltz step"
(v) shift or move by taking a step; "step back"
(v) put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake"
(v) cause (a computer) to execute a single command
(v) treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
(v) furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the terrace"
(v) move with one''s feet in a specific manner; "step lively"
(v) walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner; "step over to the blackboard"
(v) place (a ship''s mast) in its step
(v) measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards"
(v) move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation; "She stepped into a life of luxury"; "he won''t step into his father''s footsteps"

step Synonyms