Step - Definition

n 1: any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the
situation called for strong measures"; "the police took
steps to reduce crime" [syn: measure, step]
2: the distance covered by a step; "he stepped off ten paces
from the old tree and began to dig" [syn: footstep, pace,
step, stride]
3: the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting
it down; "he walked with unsteady steps"
4: support consisting of a place to rest the foot while
ascending or descending a stairway; "he paused on the bottom
step" [syn: step, stair]
5: relative position in a graded series; "always a step behind";
"subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with the
fashions" [syn: gradation, step]
6: a short distance; "it's only a step to the drugstore" [syn:
step, stone's throw]
7: the sound of a step of someone walking; "he heard footsteps
on the porch" [syn: footfall, footstep, step]
8: a musical interval of two semitones [syn: tone, whole
tone, step, whole step]
9: a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface; "the police made casts
of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window" [syn:
footprint, footmark, step]
10: a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a
ship's mast or capstan is fixed
11: a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular
dance; "he taught them the waltz step" [syn: dance step,
step]
v 1: shift or move by taking a step; "step back"
2: put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush
in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake" [syn:
step, tread]
3: cause (a computer) to execute a single command
4: treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always
stepping on others to get ahead" [syn: mistreat,
maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat]
5: furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the terrace"
6: move with one's feet in a specific manner; "step lively"
7: walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified
manner; "step over to the blackboard"
8: place (a ship's mast) in its step
9: measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards" [syn:
pace, step]
10: 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"