step (st?p)n.1. a. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.b. A manner of walking; a particular gait.c. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step.d. The sound of a footstep.e. A footprint: steps in the mud.2. a. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.b. A very short distance: just a step away.c. steps Course; path: turned her steps toward home.3. One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.4. a. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.b. steps Stairs.c. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.d. A low platform used for exercise, as in step aerobics.5. a. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.b. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions.6. A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy.7. Music a. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.b. A degree of a scale.8. Nautical The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.v. stepped, step·ping, steps v.intr.1. To put or press the foot: step on the brake.2. To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back.3. To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner.4. To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively.5. To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease.6. To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people.v.tr.1. To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land.2. To measure by pacing: step off ten yards.3. To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside.4. Computers To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.5. Nautical To place (a mast) in its step.Phrasal Verbs: step aside To resign from a post, especially when being replaced. step down1. To resign from a high post.2. To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power. step in1. To enter into an activity or a situation.2. To intervene. step out1. To walk briskly.2. To go outside for a short time.3. Informal To go out for a special evening of entertainment.4. To withdraw; quit. step up1. To increase, especially in stages: step up production.2. To come forward: step up and be counted.3. To improve one’s performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time.Idioms: in step1. Moving in rhythm.2. In conformity with one’s environment: in step with the times. out of step1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step.2. Not in conformity with one’s environment: out of step with the times. step by step By degrees. step on it Informal To go faster; hurry.[Middle English, from Old English stæpe, stepe.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.step in vb (intr, adverb) informal to intervene or involve oneself, esp dramatically or at a senior level adj 1. (Clothing & Fashion) (prenominal) (of a garment, etc) put on by being stepped into; without fastenings 2. (Skiing) (of a ski binding) engaging automatically when the boot is positioned on the ski n (Clothing & Fashion) (often plural) a step-in garment, esp underwear Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014