step
One pace forward
Many meanings of step are related to the feet.
A step is a movement (usually forward) of a foot, and by extension, a single movement forward in a process or toward some goal: you take steps in order to move a process forward.
A step on a staircase is one of the levels on which you place your foot.
To step is to move by use of your feet.
The verb is used figuratively to convey movement into and out of situations: We stepped into a big mess here.
Extended single footstep
- paceSpeed of movement
- treadSurface that grips ground
- footfallSound of walking
- walkingLocomotion on foot
striding · pacing · measured · careful · light · heavy · quick · slow
Surface that grips ground
- riserStair's vertical portion
- landingDescent's final moment
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- stairwayFixed ascending passage
spiral · banister · handrail · balustrade · newel · escalator · stepladder · threshold
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- timeMeasured passage of moments
- syncCoordinate timing or data
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
pulse · march · metronome · timing · count · measure · drum · musical
Notable event marking progress
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- stageRaised performance platform
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
- incrementUnit of increase
forward · backward · leap · breakthrough · headway · progression · gradual · incremental
Effect on the mind
- trackPath or monitored route
- markVisible impression or sign
- treadSurface that grips ground
- bootprintMark from heavy footwear
shoeprint · indentation · muddy · sandy · wet · snow · dusty · trail
Valve controlling liquid flow
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
foxtrot · quickstep · chassé · grapevine · shuffle · pivot · plié · choreography
Prescribed sequence of actions
- processSteps toward a result
- instructionGuidance for action
- guideLeader or instruction book
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
how-to · method · stage · phase · order · systematic · walkthrough · protocol
stride
Extended single footstep
walking · striding · pacing · measured · careful · light · heavy · quick · slow · faltering
tread
Surface that grips ground
stairway · spiral · banister · handrail · balustrade · newel · escalator · stepladder · threshold · porch
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
cadence · pulse · march · metronome · timing · count · measure · drum · musical
milestone
Notable event marking progress
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- stageRaised performance platform
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
increment · forward · backward · leap · breakthrough · headway · progression · gradual · incremental · setback
impression
Effect on the mind
bootprint · shoeprint · indentation · muddy · sandy · wet · snow · dusty · trail · trace
tap
Valve controlling liquid flow
waltz · foxtrot · quickstep · chassé · grapevine · shuffle · pivot · plié · choreography · footwork
procedure
Prescribed sequence of actions
- processSteps toward a result
- instructionGuidance for action
- guideLeader or instruction book
tutorial · how-to · method · stage · phase · order · systematic · walkthrough · protocol · checklist
- first stepInitial action taken
- step upIncrease or advance
- step onPress down with foot
- baby stepsCautious incremental progress
- step by stepIn ordered stages
- step backCreate distance, literally/figuratively
steps, footstep, sidestep, stepping, doorstep, misstep, stepped, steppe, footsteps