Step

• step
• 1

  movement

   [countable] the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking:
• a video of baby's first steps
• He took one step and fell.
• step back/forwards/towards etc
• Tom took a step back and held the door open.
• I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop.
• 2

  action

   [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed
• step in (doing) something
• This is the first step in reforming the welfare system.
• step towards
• an important step towards peace
• The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting.
• (major/big/great) step forward (=an action that makes things better)
• The discovery of penicillin was a major step forward in the treatment of infections.
• Many teachers see an emphasis on written tests as a step backwards (=an action that makes things worse).
• Environmentalists call the change a step in the right direction (=a good thing to do).
• 3

  in a process

   [countable] a stage in a process, or a position on a scale:
• Each book goes up one step in difficulty.
• Record your result, and go on to step 3.
• step in
• the next step in the process
• Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage).
• Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal.
• Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up(=something that is better than you had before) for my parents.
• He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than you had before).
• 4

  stair

   [countable] a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building:
• Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting.
• He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell.
• a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps
• 5

  distance

   [countable] the short distance you move when you take a step while walking [= pace]:
• Roy was standing only a few steps away.
• 6

  sound

   [countable] the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking [= footstep]:
• I heard a step in the corridor.
• 7

  dancing

   [countable] a movement of your feet in dancing:
• the steps for the Charleston
• 8

   in step

• a) having ideas or actions that are like those of other people
• in step with
• He isn't in step with ordinary voters.
• b) moving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with
• 9

   out of step

• a) having ideas or actions that are different from those of other people
• out of step with
• This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry.
• b) moving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with
• 10

   watch your step

  also mind your step British English
• a) to be careful about what you say or how you behave:
• You'd better watch your step - he's the boss here.
• b) to be careful when you are walking:
• Mind your step - the railing's loose.
• 11

   fall into step (with somebody)

• a) to start walking beside someone at the same speed as them:
• Maggie fell into step beside her.
• b) to start thinking or doing the same as other people:
• The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue.
• 12

   be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody)

• a) to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else:
• A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students.
• b) to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you
• 13

  way somebody walks

   [countable usually singular] the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling:
• Gianni's usual bouncy step
• 14

   steps

   [plural] British English a stepladder
• 15

  exercise

   [uncountable] a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15-30 centimetres high:
• a step class
• 16

  music

   [countable] American English the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano [= toneBritish English]

Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.