step / step/ • n. 1. an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running: Ron took a step back she turned and retraced her steps. ∎  the distance covered by such a movement: Richard came a couple of steps nearer. ∎  [usu. in sing.] a person's particular way of walking: she left the room with a springy step. ∎  one of the sequences of movement of the feet that make up a dance. ∎  a short or easily walked distance: the market is only a short step from the end of the lake.2. a flat surface, esp. one in a series, on which to place one's foot when moving from one level to another: the bottom step of the staircase a flight of marble steps. ∎  a doorstep: there was a pint of milk on the step. ∎  a rung of a ladder. ∎  Climbing a foothold cut in a slope of ice. ∎  a block, typically fixed to the vessel’s keel, on which the base of a mast is seated. ∎  Physics an abrupt change in the value of a quantity, esp. voltage.3. a measure or action, esp. one of a series taken in order to deal with or achieve a particular thing: the government must take steps to discourage age discrimination a major step forward in the fight against terrorism. ∎  a stage in a gradual process: sales are up, which is a step in the right direction. ∎  a particular position or grade on an ascending or hierarchical scale: the first step on the managerial ladder.4. Mus. an interval in a scale; a tone (whole step) or semitone (half step).5. step aerobics: [as adj.] a step class. • v. (stepped, step·ping) 1. [intr.] lift and set down one's foot or one foot after the other in order to walk somewhere or move to a new position: Claudia tried to step back I accidentally stepped on his foot. ∎  [as imper.] used as a polite or deferential way of asking someone to walk a short distance for a particular purpose: please step this way. ∎  (step it) dated perform a dance: they stepped it down the room between the lines of dancers. ∎  take a particular course of action: young men have temporarily stepped out of the labor market.2. [tr.] Naut. set up (a mast) in its step.PHRASES: break step stop walking or marching in step with others.fall into step change the way one is walking so that one is walking in step with another person.in (or out of) step putting (or not putting) one's feet forward alternately in the same rhythm as the people one is walking, marching, or dancing with. ∎ fig. conforming (or not conforming) to what others are doing or thinking: the party is clearly out of step with voters. ∎  Physics (of two or more oscillations or other cyclic phenomena) having (or not having) the same frequency and always in the same phase.keep step remain walking, marching, or dancing in step.one step ahead managing to avoid competition or danger from someone or something: I try to keep one step ahead of the rest of the staff.step by step so as to progress gradually and carefully from one stage to the next: I'll explain it to you step by step | [as adj.] a step-by-step guide. step into the breachsee breach.step into someone's shoes take control of a task or job from another person.step on it (or step on the gas) inf. go faster, typically in a motor vehicle.step (or tread) on someone's toes offend someone by encroaching on their area of responsibility.step out of line behave inappropriately or disobediently.PHRASAL VERBS: step asideanother way of saying step down below.step back mentally withdraw from a situation in order to consider it objectively.step down withdraw or resign from an important position or office: Mr. Krenz stepped down as party leader a week ago.step something down decrease voltage by using a transformer.step forward offer one's help or services: a company has stepped forward to sponsor the team.step in become involved in a difficult or problematic situation, esp. in order to help or prevent something from happening. ∎  act as a substitute for someone: Lucy stepped in at very short notice to take Joan's place.step out1. leave a room or building, typically for a short time.2. inf. go out to have a good time: he was stepping out with a redheaded waitress.3. walk with long or vigorous steps: she enjoyed the outing, stepping out manfully.step something up increase the amount, speed, or intensity of something: police decided to step up security plans for the game. ∎  increase voltage using a transformer.DERIVATIVES: step·like / -ˌlīk/ adj.

step in (or out) of step conforming (or not conforming) to what others are doing or thinking (literally, putting (or not putting) one's feet forward alternately in the same rhythm as the people one is walking, marching, or dancing with).
one step at a time proverbial saying, mid 19th century; recommending cautious progression along a desired route. In the hymn ‘Lead, kindly Light’ (1834), the theologian and priest John Henry Newman wrote, ‘Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.’

See also it is the first step that is difficult, the longest journey begins with a single step.

STEP The international standard, ISO 10303: Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data, covering all aspects of product life cycle in all industries. It is a neutral way of representing product data throughout its life, independent of any particular computer-aided system. STEP includes a textual conceptual schema language, EXPRESS, which is based on the ERA (entity-relationship-attribute) model.

step pt., pp. stepped lift the foot and set it down; proceed on foot OE.; fix (a mast, etc.) in its step XVIII. OE. str. vb. steppan, stæppan = OS. *steppian, (M)LG., (M)Du. steppen, OHG. stapfōn, stepfen (G. stapfen); wk. forms are found from the end of XIII, and became universal by XVI.
So step sb. OE. stepe, stæpe :- *stapiz. No certain cogns. are known.

step. Tread and riser of a stair, or a single flat-topped structure, e.g. door-step, to enable progression from one level to another.