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

step

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

step by step

65 1.8

In a gradual way, doing each part one after another

to watch your step

54 3.7

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

one step ahead

43 4.0

In a better position because you are ready before others

one step at a time

37 2.8

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

to step up to the plate

Informal

28 4.6

To take responsibility and act when a difficult situation happens

out of step

18 6.1

Not in agreement with the ideas or actions of others

in step

15 3.5

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

to step on someone's toes

Informal

8 6.6

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

spring in someone's step

Informal

6 4.9

An energetic way of walking that shows happiness or confidence

to step into someone's shoes

Informal

6 4.9

To imagine how someone else feels and sees things

to step into the spotlight

Informal

3 5.1

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

one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

2 7.6

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

to step into the breach

Informal

2 7.3

To take responsibility and act when someone else cannot

one step forward, two steps back

1 7.7

Progress that bigger problems later undo

worth every step

Informal

1 6.6

So valuable that you feel the effort was not wasted

to step out of your box

Informal

1 7.3

Think in a new way instead of your usual way

can't step in the same river twice

Literature

1 9.6

No two experiences are exactly the same

to step on a rake

Informal

1 8.6

To have unexpected problems because of your own mistake

Compounds

first step

308 1.4

The first action you take to begin something

one-step

94 4.1

Done in a single stage that needs only one main step

step-by-step

33 2.8

Done in separate parts, each finished before the next

step-up

28 3.6

An increase in amount, level, or strength

dance step

11 1.9

A set of foot movements that form part of a dance

two-step

Texting

10 3.9

Needing two actions to prove a person's identity online

step-down

8 4.6

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

two-step

7 4.1

A lively partner dance with quick then slow steps to music

two-step process

4 3.1

A method with two steps done one after the other

false step

3 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

step ladder

2 3.0

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

step dancing

1 4.0

A kind of dance where exact foot movements make the rhythm

half step

Specialized

1 4.4

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

goose step

1 8.9

A march with straight legs swung high used in military parades

step-up transformer

Specialized

1 4.8

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

step of recovery

1 4.1

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

naughty step

Baby Talk

1 7.7

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

one-step

Archaic

1 9.5

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

step-in

1 8.4

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

step-down

Specialized

1 5.5

A device like a transformer that lowers electrical voltage

crow step

1 9.9

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

whole step

Specialized

1 5.4

The distance between two notes that are two piano keys apart

step rocket

Specialized

1 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

1 5.6

A device that lowers high electric voltage so appliances work safely

hop-step-and-jump

1 6.6

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

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

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.