🪜 A stage in process 🪜 A stair surface 🚶 To move a foot 🚶 A foot movement 🧑‍💼 To enter a role 💃 A dance move 👣 A foot sound 📏 A short distance 🪜 To build steps 🎵 A whole tone ⛵ To set a mast ⛵ A mast base 💻 To run one command

step

10 9.6

A solid block fixed to a ship where the bottom of a mast sits

noun
/stɛp/

Specialized

: pie del mástil

Seth had to catch up with Rosie on the front steps of the mortuary.

Examples

As he watched, a lush strawberry-blonde started up the steps to the church, carrying a square brown basket.

Fiction book (2001)
At the orchestra pit, Harry climbs the steps and crosses the pit.

Fiction book (2001)
We're at the base of the Step, over.

Everest (2015)
I had half a sandwich left, so I decided to sit on the church steps while eating it.

Academic text (2009)
We walked over to the stone steps carved along the castle wall.

Fiction book (2002)
Chris walks quickly down the steps that lead into reception.

Fiction book (1991)
Kate and Leopold bound up the steps, entering the museum.

Fiction book (2001)
On the front steps, we stare into twin, rough-hewn doors, and Jimbo rings the bell again.

Fiction book (1999)
Bernzy and Hayward climb the steps of the almost rustic police station.

Fiction book (1992)
The captain carefully positioned the mast into its step at the base of the ship.

Idioms

to watch your step

63 3.7

Be careful when you move and act to avoid danger and trouble

one step ahead

38 4.0

In a better position because you are ready before others

one step at a time

32 2.8

To do a task slowly, handling each part before the next

to step up to the plate

Informal

32 4.6

To take responsibility and act when a difficult situation happens

step by step

23 1.8

In a gradual way, doing each part one after another

out of step

18 6.1

Not in agreement with the ideas or actions of others

in step

6 3.5

Doing something at the same time and in the same way as someone else

to step on someone's toes

Informal

4 6.6

Make someone angry by doing their job or making decisions for them

to step into the breach

Informal

2 7.3

To take responsibility and act when someone else cannot

to step into the spotlight

Informal

1 5.1

Become the main focus of people's attention after doing something important

spring in someone's step

Informal

1 4.9

An energetic way of walking that shows happiness or confidence

worth every step

Informal

1 6.6

So valuable that you feel the effort was not wasted

can't step in the same river twice

Literature

9.6

No two experiences are exactly the same

one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

7.6

A small action that leads to a very large benefit for all people

one step forward, two steps back

7.7

Progress that bigger problems later undo

to step into someone's shoes

Informal

4.9

To imagine how someone else feels and sees things

to step out of your box

Informal

7.3

Think in a new way instead of your usual way

to step on a rake

Informal

8.6

To have unexpected problems because of your own mistake

Compounds

first step

281 1.4

The first action you take to begin something

step-by-step

23 2.8

Done in separate parts, each finished before the next

step-up

20 3.6

An increase in amount, level, or strength

dance step

9 1.9

A set of foot movements that form part of a dance

one-step

5 4.1

Done in a single stage that needs only one main step

half step

Specialized

3 4.4

The smallest jump between two notes in Western music, one piano key apart

two-step

Texting

3 3.9

Needing two actions to prove a person's identity online

step-down

3 4.6

A decrease in amount or level, for example moving to a lower job

two-step process

3 3.1

A method with two steps done one after the other

one-step

Archaic

3 9.5

A fast ballroom dance from the early 1900s with quick walking steps

false step

2 5.6

A wrong action or decision that hurts progress

step stool

2 2.0

A small stool with one or two steps used to reach high places

two-step

2 4.1

A lively partner dance with quick then slow steps to music

step ladder

1 3.0

A short portable structure with flat steps and two sides joined at the top to form an A shape

step-down

Specialized

1 5.5

A device like a transformer that lowers electrical voltage

naughty step

Baby Talk

1 7.7

A place where a child sits as a short punishment for bad behaviour

step dancing

1 4.0

A kind of dance where exact foot movements make the rhythm

step-in

1 8.4

A short one-piece underwear with shoulder straps worn by women or children

step-up transformer

Specialized

1 4.8

A device that raises the voltage of electric current that changes direction

whole step

Specialized

1 5.4

The distance between two notes that are two piano keys apart

corbel step

Specialized

9.9

A stone or brick step that sticks out along the sloping edge of a gable wall

corbie-step

9.9

A stepped top on the end wall of a roof that looks like stone stairs

crow step

9.9

A stepped edge at the top of a wall under a sloping roof

goose step

8.9

A march with straight legs swung high used in military parades

hop-step-and-jump

6.6

A track event where an athlete does a hop, a step, then a long jump in one run

step of recovery

4.1

A stage in getting better after illness, injury, or addiction

step rocket

Specialized

7.8

A rocket with two or more parts that fire one after another and drop away when empty to reach space

step-down transformer

Specialized

5.6

A device that lowers high electric voltage so appliances work safely

Surface Forms

step singular

steps plural

Etymology

Step was used for a place where something stands, so on a ship the step is the solid block where the mast rests; the name means the mast's standing place.