step
     n 1: any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the
          situation called for strong measures"; "the police took
          steps to reduce crime" [syn: {measure}]
     2: the distance covered by a step; "he stepped off ten paces
        from the old tree and began to dig" [syn: {footstep}, {pace},
         {stride}]
     3: the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting
        it down; "he walked with unsteady steps"
     4: support consisting of a place to rest the foot while
        ascending or descending a stairway; "he paused on the
        bottom step" [syn: {stair}]
     5: relative position in a graded series; "always a step
        behind"; "subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with
        the fashions" [syn: {gradation}]
     6: a short distance; "it's only a step to the drugstore" [syn:
        {stone's throw}]
     7: the sound of a step of someone walking; "he heard footsteps
        on the porch" [syn: {footfall}, {footstep}]
     8: a musical interval of two semitones [syn: {tone}, {whole
        tone}, {whole step}]
     9: a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface; "the police made
        casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the
        window" [syn: {footprint}, {footmark}]
     10: a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a
         ship's mast or capstan is fixed
     11: a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular
         dance; "he taught them the waltz step" [syn: {dance step}]
     v 1: shift or move by taking a step; "step back"
     2: put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush
        in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake" [syn:
        {tread}]
     3: cause (a computer) to execute a single command
     4: treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always
        stepping on others to get ahead" [syn: {mistreat}, {maltreat},
         {abuse}, {ill-use}, {ill-treat}]
     5: furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the
        terrace"
     6: move with one's feet in a specific manner; "step lively"
     7: walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified
        manner; "step over to the blackboard"
     8: place (a ship's mast) in its step
     9: measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards" [syn: {pace}]
     10: 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"
     [also: {stepping}, {stepped}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0

stepping
     See {step}
Source: WordNet® 2.0