step

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the situation called for strong measures"; "the police took steps to reduce crime"

the distance covered by a step; "he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig"

the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down; "he walked with unsteady steps"

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway; "he paused on the bottom step"

relative position in a graded series; "always a step behind"; "subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with the fashions"

a short distance; "it's only a step to the drugstore"

the sound of a step of someone walking; "he heard footsteps on the porch"

a musical interval of two semitones

a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface; "the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window"

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

a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance; "he taught them the waltz step"

shift or move by taking a step; "step back"

put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake"

cause (a computer) to execute a single command

treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"

furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the terrace"

move with one's feet in a specific manner; "step lively"

walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner; "step over to the blackboard"

place (a ship's mast) in its step

measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards"

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"