Stepping: meaning, definitions and examples

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stepping

 

[ ˈstɛpɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

physical movement

The act of moving by raising one foot and putting it down in front of the other, typically in a repeated rhythm.

Synonyms

marching, striding, walking.

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Word Description / Examples
stepping

Used to describe the act of lifting and placing one's foot in a careful or deliberate way.

  • He was stepping carefully around the broken glass.
  • She was stepping out of the car when it started to rain.
walking

General term for moving on foot at a moderate speed.

  • She enjoys walking in the park after work.
  • He was walking home from the store when he saw his friend.
striding

Describes walking with long, decisive steps, often indicating confidence or urgency.

  • She was striding across the room with determination.
  • He came striding into the office, ready for the meeting.
marching

Typically refers to walking in a steady, rhythmic pattern, often as part of a group or in a military context.

  • The soldiers were marching in formation during the parade.
  • The protestors were marching down the street, chanting slogans.

Examples of usage

  • She heard the stepping of someone approaching in the dark alley.
  • The sound of his steady stepping echoed through the empty hallway.
Context #2 | Noun

progression

The action of taking a series of steps in a particular direction or towards a specific goal.

Synonyms

advancement, development, progression.

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Word Description / Examples
stepping

Used when talking about moving forward one step at a time, often literally or metaphorically. It can imply gradual progress or taking small actions towards a goal.

  • She is stepping into a new phase of her career.
  • Every day, he is stepping closer to achieving his dream.
progression

Utilized when describing continuous, often sequential, movement forward. It is suitable for talking about stages or an ongoing sequence of events.

  • Her progression through the ranks was nothing short of impressive.
  • The progression of the disease was closely monitored by doctors.
advancement

Applied when referring to a significant improvement, progress, or promotion in position, especially in professional settings. It often suggests a notable move forward.

  • Her perseverance led to a quick advancement in the company.
  • Technological advancements have transformed our daily lives.
development

Best used when referring to the process of growth or improvement over time in various fields, such as personal growth, business, technology, etc. It indicates an ongoing process.

  • The development of the new software took several months.
  • His personal development has been remarkable over the past year.

Examples of usage

  • Each stepping stone in her career led her closer to her dream job.
  • The project required careful stepping to ensure successful completion.
Context #3 | Verb

moving with steps

To move in a specified direction by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, typically quickly and with force.

Synonyms

march, tread, walk.

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Word Description / Examples
stepping

Used when referring to the act of taking steps in a general sense or when focusing on the action of placing one's foot down. It often implies a controlled or careful movement, one step at a time.

  • She was carefully stepping over the puddles
  • He is stepping into a new role at the company
walk

Used for the act of moving on foot at a regular, moderate pace. It is the most general and commonly used term for this action.

  • She takes a walk every morning to stay healthy
  • We decided to walk to the park instead of driving
tread

Used to describe the manner or sound of walking, often with an emphasis on the pressure and impact of the steps. It can also refer to moving with caution or walking in a specific manner.

  • He tried to tread softly so as not to wake the baby
  • You should tread carefully when discussing sensitive topics
march

Typically used in the context of organized, rhythmic walking, often in military settings or in the context of protests and rallies. It can also describe the action of walking with a strong, determined pace.

  • The soldiers were marching in perfect unison
  • Thousands of people marched in the protest for climate action

Examples of usage

  • He was stepping rhythmically to the music.
  • She carefully stepped over the obstacles in her path.

Translations

Translations of the word "stepping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 passo

🇮🇳 कदम रखना

🇩🇪 Schritt

🇮🇩 melangkah

🇺🇦 крокування

🇵🇱 krok

🇯🇵 ステッピング

🇫🇷 pas

🇪🇸 paso

🇹🇷 adım atma

🇰🇷 단계

🇸🇦 خطوة

🇨🇿 kročení

🇸🇰 kročenie

🇨🇳 踏步

🇸🇮 korak

🇮🇸 skref

🇰🇿 қадам жасау

🇬🇪 ნაბიჯი

🇦🇿 addım atmaq

🇲🇽 paso

Etymology

The word 'stepping' originated from the Old English word 'stæpe', which meant to tread or walk. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the action of moving by raising and setting down one foot after another. The concept of stepping has been a fundamental part of human movement since ancient times, with various cultural practices incorporating rhythmic and ceremonial stepping. Today, stepping is not only a physical action but also symbolizes progress, advancement, and movement towards a goal.

See also: misstep, missteps, overstep, sidestep, step, steppe, steps.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,483 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.