1step 
/ˈstɛp/ noun
plural steps /ˈstɛp/ noun 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
▪ 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
▪ He walks with a spring in his step. ▪ She walked down the hall with a quick/light step. — see also goose step, lockstep
▪ 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]
▪ 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.
▪ 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]
▪ 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
▪ a ballet step ▪ dance steps
▪ Working out with a step can be very rigorous. — see also step aerobics
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]
▪ The teacher really has to work to keep one step ahead of the class. ▪ She always seems to be one step ahead of me.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ They walked in step down the avenue. — usually + with ▪ We danced in step with the music.
▪ 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.
▪ It's slippery, so watch your step.
▪ 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]
▪ One of the dancers was out of step.
▪ 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/ adjective
/ˈstɛpˌlaɪk/ adjective— stepped /ˈstɛpt/ adjective
▪ a stepped pyramid [=a pyramid with sides made of steps]
/ˈstɛpt/ adjective ▪ a stepped pyramid [=a pyramid with sides made of steps]
