1. (

• stairs ,
• steps

) a flight of stairs or a flight of steps ;

2. (

• steps

) the course along which a person has walked or is walking in; "I followed in his steps"; "he retraced his steps"; "his steps turned toward home" ;

1. (

• step

) shift or move by taking a step; "step back" ;

2. (

• step ,
• tread ,

) put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake" ;

3. (

• step ,

) cause (a computer) to execute a single command ;

4. (

• mistreat ,
• maltreat ,
• abuse ,
• ill-use ,
• step ,
• ill-treat

) treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead" ;

5. (

• step

) furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the terrace" ;

6. (

• step ,

) move with one's feet in a specific manner; "step lively" ;

7. (

• step ,

) walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner; "step over to the blackboard" ;

8. (

• step

) place (a ship's mast) in its step ;

9. (

• pace ,
• step

) measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards" ;

10. (

• step ,

) 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" ;