stepping Meaning & Definition
What Does Stepping Mean?
Stepping is a verb that means to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession. It can also mean dance.
Stepping at a Glance
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈstɛpɪŋ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | ambulating, footing (it) and hoofing (it) |
| Antonyms | crawling, creeping and poking |
Stepping Definition (Verb)
- to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession
They stepped into the elevator. / She stepped inside and closed the door. / I'm sorry, but he just stepped outside for a moment. / When I call your name, please step forward. / She stepped up to the microphone. / I stepped up/down onto the landing. / He stepped back, startled. / Please step away from the moving doors. / They stepped aside to let the paramedics through. / We watched as the passengers stepped ashore.
- dance
Joyfully along the contra lines, the dancers held hands, listened to the caller, and stepped to the music …
- to go on foot : walk see also step out
She stepped down to the corner store.
- advance, proceed
- to be on one's way : leave see also step aside, step down
- to move briskly
kept us stepping
- to press down with the foot
step on the brake
- to come as if at a single step
stepped into a good job
- to extend by or as if by a stairstep
… the room steps down past a viewing area to a projection television screen hung from the ceiling. / A wooden retaining wall—which holds the slope above the staircase—steps up in level sections.
- to take (a pace, etc.) by moving the feet in succession
step three paces
- to move (the foot) in any direction : set
the first person to step foot on the moon
- to traverse (something) on foot
… proud … of stepping this famous pavement …
- to go through the steps of (something) : perform
step a minuet
- to make (something) erect by fixing the lower end in a step
step the mast
- to measure (something) by steps
step off 50 yards
- to provide (something) with steps
He stepped the front of the stage down into the stalls and built a permanent cyclorama across the full width of the rear wall.
- to make steps in (something)
step a key
- to construct or arrange (something) in or as if in steps
… we looked down on an expanse of craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides …
Synonyms of Stepping
Antonyms of Stepping
Stepping in a Sentence
The 80386's early steppings have quite a lot of bugs, so some software specifically tests to make sure that the processor isn't one of those old versions.
to step to one of the neighbors
They stepped into the elevator.
She stepped inside and closed the door.
I'm sorry, but he just stepped outside for a moment.
When I call your name, please step forward.
She stepped up to the microphone.
I stepped up/down onto the landing.
He stepped back, startled.
Please step away from the moving doors.
They stepped aside to let the paramedics through.
We watched as the passengers stepped ashore.
Joyfully along the contra lines, the dancers held hands, listened to the caller, and stepped to the music …
She stepped down to the corner store.
kept us stepping
step on the brake
stepped into a good job
… the room steps down past a viewing area to a projection television screen hung from the ceiling.
A wooden retaining wall—which holds the slope above the staircase—steps up in level sections.
step three paces
the first person to step foot on the moon
… proud … of stepping this famous pavement …
step a minuet
step the mast
step off 50 yards
He stepped the front of the stage down into the stalls and built a permanent cyclorama across the full width of the rear wall.
step a key
… we looked down on an expanse of craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides …
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor
many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward
now that my ride's here, I'll be stepping along
They stepped into the elevator. / She stepped inside and closed the door. / I'm sorry, but he just stepped outside for a moment. / When I call your name, please step forward. / She stepped up to the microphone. / I stepped up/down onto the landing. / He stepped back, startled. / Please step away from the moving doors. / They stepped aside to let the paramedics through. / We watched as the passengers stepped ashore.
… the room steps down past a viewing area to a projection television screen hung from the ceiling. / A wooden retaining wall—which holds the slope above the staircase—steps up in level sections.
Word Forms & Grammar
stepped
step·ping
steps
step
stepping
step (along)
step along
stepping (countable and uncountable, plural steppings)
Words That Rhyme With Stepping
Origin of Stepping
From Middle English steppynge; equivalent to step + -ing.
First Known Use
before 12th centuryi
Stepping Pronunciation
Stepping is pronounced //ˈstɛpɪŋ// and has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Stepping
What part of speech is stepping?
Stepping is a verb.
What is another word for stepping?
Words with a similar meaning to stepping include ambulating, footing (it) and hoofing (it). See the full list of stepping synonyms and antonyms.