A step is a raised flat surface which you put your feet on to move to a different level.
A series of steps, for example on a steep slope or on the outside of a building, is called a flight of steps.
A series of steps inside a building which you use to get from one floor to another is called stairs or a staircase.
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| Noun | 1. | step - any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the situation called for strong measures"; "the police took steps to reduce crime" countermeasure - an action taken to offset another action porcupine provision, shark repellent - a measure undertaken by a corporation to discourage unwanted takeover attempts precaution, safeguard, guard - a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.; "he put an ice pack on the injury as a precaution"; "an insurance policy is a good safeguard"; "we let our guard down" |
| 2. | step - the distance covered by a step; "he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig"indefinite quantity - an estimated quantity | |
| 3. | step - the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down; "he walked with unsteady steps" locomotion, travel - self-propelled movement pas - (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet) trip - a light or nimble tread; "he heard the trip of women's feet overhead" sidestep - a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing) footstep - the act of taking a step in walking | |
| 4. | step - support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway; "he paused on the bottom step" riser - structural member consisting of the vertical part of a stair or step support - any device that bears the weight of another thing; "there was no place to attach supports for a shelf" tread - structural member consisting of the horizontal part of a stair or step | |
| 5. | step - relative position in a graded series; "always a step behind"; "subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with the fashions" cut - a step on some scale; "he is a cut above the rest" rank - relative status; "his salary was determined by his rank and seniority" | |
| 6. | step - a short distance; "it's only a step to the drugstore" small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity - an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude | |
| 7. | step - the sound of a step of someone walking; "he heard footsteps on the porch"sound - the sudden occurrence of an audible event; "the sound awakened them" tramp - a heavy footfall; "the tramp of military boots" | |
| 8. | step - a musical interval of two semitones musical interval, interval - the difference in pitch between two notes | |
| 9. | step - a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface; "the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window"footprint evidence - evidence in the form of footprints; "there was footprint evidence that he had been at the scene of the crime" | |
| 10. | step - a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed block - a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides); "the pyramids were built with large stone blocks" | |
| 11. | step - a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance; "he taught them the waltz step"locomotion, travel - self-propelled movement moonwalk - a kind of dance step in which the dancer seems to be sliding on the spot; "Michael Jackson perfected the moonwalk in the 1980s" hoofing, step dancing - dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or postures glissade - (ballet) a gliding or sliding step in ballet | |
| Verb | 1. | step - shift or move by taking a step; "step back" go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" backpedal - step backwards, in boxing step out - go outside a room or building for a short period of time |
| 2. | step - put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" | |
| 3. | step - cause (a computer) to execute a single command | |
| 4. | step - treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"do by, treat, handle - interact in a certain way; "Do right by her"; "Treat him with caution, please"; "Handle the press reporters gently" kick around - treat badly; abuse; "They won't have me to kick around any more!" | |
| 5. | step - furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the terrace" architecture - the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their esthetic effect | |
| 6. | step - move with one's feet in a specific manner; "step lively" go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" | |
| 7. | step - walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner; "step over to the blackboard" walk - use one's feet to advance; advance by steps; "Walk, don't run!"; "We walked instead of driving"; "She walks with a slight limp"; "The patient cannot walk yet"; "Walk over to the cabinet" | |
| 8. | step - place (a ship's mast) in its step | |
| 9. | step - measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards" | |
| 10. | step - move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation; "She stepped into a life of luxury"; "he won't step into his father's footsteps" move - go or proceed from one point to another; "the debate moved from family values to the economy" |