step

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

• “the situation called for strong measures”
• “the police took steps to reduce crime”

the distance covered by a step

• “he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig”

the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down

• “he walked with unsteady steps”

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

• “he paused on the bottom step”

relative position in a graded series

• “always a step behind”
• “subtle gradations in color”
• “keep in step with the fashions”

a short distance

• “it”

the sound of a step of someone walking

• “he heard footsteps on the porch”

a musical interval of two semitones

a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface

• “the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window”

a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship''s mast or capstan is fixed

a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance

• “he taught them the waltz step”

shift or move by taking a step

• “step back”

put down or press the foot, place the foot

• “For fools rush in where angels fear to tread”
• “step on the brake”

cause (a computer) to execute a single command

treat badly

• “This boss abuses his workers”
• “She is always stepping on others to get ahead”

furnish with steps

• “The architect wants to step the terrace”

move with one''s feet in a specific manner

• “step lively”

walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner

• “step over to the blackboard”

place (a ship''s mast) in its step

measure (distances) by pacing

• “step off ten yards”

move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation

• “She stepped into a life of luxury”
• “he won”
• “s footsteps”