step

(noun) any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal. Synonyms: measure. Examples: "The situation called for strong measures." "The police took steps to reduce crime."

(noun) the distance covered by a step. Synonyms: footstep, pace, stride. Example: "He stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig."

(noun) the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down. Example: "He walked with unsteady steps."

(noun) support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway. Synonyms: stair. Example: "He paused on the bottom step."

(noun) relative position in a graded series. Synonyms: gradation. Examples: "Always a step behind." "Subtle gradations in color." "Keep in step with the fashions."

(noun) a short distance. Synonyms: stone's throw. Example: "It's only a step to the drugstore."

(noun) the sound of a step of someone walking. Synonyms: footfall, footstep. Example: "He heard footsteps on the porch."

(noun) a musical interval of two semitones. Synonyms: tone, whole tone, whole step.

(noun) a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface. Synonyms: footprint, footmark. Example: "The police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window."

(noun) a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed.

(noun) a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance. Synonyms: dance step. Example: "He taught them the waltz step."

(verb) shift or move by taking a step. Example: "Step back."

(verb) put down or press the foot, place the foot. Synonyms: tread. Examples: "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread." "Step on the brake."

(verb) cause (a computer) to execute a single command.

(verb) treat badly. Synonyms: mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, ill-treat. Examples: "This boss abuses his workers." "She is always stepping on others to get ahead."

(verb) furnish with steps. Example: "The architect wants to step the terrace."

(verb) move with one's feet in a specific manner. Example: "Step lively."

(verb) walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner. Example: "Step over to the blackboard."

(verb) place (a ship's mast) in its step.

(verb) measure (distances) by pacing. Synonyms: pace. Example: "Step off ten yards."

(verb) move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation. Examples: "She stepped into a life of luxury." "He won't step into his father's footsteps."