step (stĕp)

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[Middle English, from Old English stæpe, stepe.]

noun 

1. 1. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.
   2. A manner of walking; a particular gait.
   3. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step.
   4. The sound of a footstep.
   5. A footprint: steps in the mud.
2. 1. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.
   2. A very short distance: just a step away.
   3. steps. Course; path: turned her steps toward home.
3. One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.
4. 1. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.
   2. steps. Stairs.
   3. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.
5. 1. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.
   2. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions.
6. A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy.
7. Music
   1. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.
   2. A degree of a scale.
8. Nautical The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.

verb: stepped, step·ping, steps. 

intransitive verb 

1. To put or press the foot: step on the brake.
2. To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back.
3. To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner.
4. To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively.
5. To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease.
6. To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people.

transitive verb 

1. To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land.
2. To measure by pacing: step off ten yards.
3. To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside.
4. Computer Science To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.
5. Nautical To place (a mast) in its step.

phrasal verbs

step aside

To resign from a post, especially when being replaced.

step down

To resign from a high post.

To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power.

step in

To enter into an activity or a situation.

To intervene.

step out

To walk briskly.

To go outside for a short time.

Informal To go out for a special evening of entertainment.

To withdraw; quit.

step up

To increase, especially in stages: step up production.

To come forward: step up and be counted.

To improve one's performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time.

idioms

in step

Moving in rhythm. In conformity with one's environment: in step with the times.

out of step

Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step. Not in conformity with one's environment: out of step with the times.

step by step

By degrees.

step on it

To go faster; hurry.