step-down

[ step-doun ]

/ ˈstɛpˌdaʊn /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR step-down ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Electricity.

serving to reduce or decrease voltage: a step-down transformer.

Origin of step-down

First recorded in 1890–95; adj. use of verb phrase step down

Words nearby step-down

step rocket, step turn, step up, step-, step-and-repeat, step-down, step-in, step-off, step-on, step-parent, step-up

Definition for step down (2 of 2)

step

[ step ]

/ stɛp /

noun

a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking, running, or dancing.

such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot: The soldier took one step forward and stood at attention.

the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot.

the sound made by the foot in making such a movement.

a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint.

the manner of walking; gait; stride.

pace in marching: double-quick step.

a pace uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music.

steps, movements or course in walking or running: to retrace one's steps.

a move, act, or proceeding, as toward some end or in the general course of some action; stage, measure, or period: the five steps to success.

rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale.

a support for the foot in ascending or descending: a step of a ladder; a stair of 14 steps.

a very short distance: She was never more than a step away from her children.

a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions.

step aerobics.

Music.

a degree of the staff or of the scale.
the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second.Compare semitone, whole step.

steps, British. a stepladder.

an offset part of anything.

Nautical. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast.

Mining. a flat-topped ledge on the face of a quarry or a mine working.

verb (used without object), stepped, step·ping.

to move, go, etc., by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, or by using the feet alternately in this manner: to step forward.

to walk, or go on foot, especially for a few strides or a short distance: Step over to the bar.

to move with measured steps, as in a dance.

to go briskly or fast, as a horse.

to obtain, find, win, come upon, etc., something easily and naturally, as if by a mere step of the foot: to step into a good business opportunity.

to put the foot down; tread by intention or accident: to step on a cat's tail.

to press with the foot, as on a lever, spring, or the like, in order to operate some mechanism.

verb (used with object), stepped, step·ping.

to take (a step, pace, stride, etc.).

to go through or perform the steps of (a dance).

to move or set (the foot) in taking a step.

to measure (a distance, ground, etc.) by steps (sometimes followed by off or out).

to make or arrange in the manner of a series of steps.

Nautical. to fix (a mast) in its step.

Verb Phrases

step down,

to lower or decrease by degrees.
to relinquish one's authority or control; resign: Although he was past retirement age, he refused to step down and let his son take over the business.

step in, to become involved; intervene, as in a quarrel or fight: The brawl was well under way by the time the police stepped in.

step out,

to leave a place, especially for a brief period of time.
to walk or march at a more rapid pace.
to go out to a social gathering or on a date: We're stepping out tonight.

step up,

to raise or increase by degrees: to step up production.
to be promoted; advance.
to make progress; improve.

Origin of step

before 900; (v.) Middle English steppen, Old English steppan; cognate with Old High German stepfen; akin to stamp; (noun) Middle English; Old English stepe

OTHER WORDS FROM step

step·less, adjective step·like, adjective coun·ter·step, noun, verb, coun·ter·stepped, coun·ter·step·ping. out·step, verb (used with object), out·stepped, out·step·ping.

un·der·step, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH step

step steppe

British Dictionary definitions for step down (1 of 4)

step down

verb (adverb)

(tr) to reduce gradually

(intr) informal to resign or abdicate (from a position)

(intr) informal to assume an inferior or less senior position

adjective step-down (prenominal)

(of a transformer) reducing a high voltage applied to the primary winding to a lower voltage on the secondary winding Compare step up

decreasing or falling by stages

noun step-down

informal a decrease in quantity or size

British Dictionary definitions for step down (2 of 4)

step

/ (stɛp) /

noun

the act of motion brought about by raising the foot and setting it down again in coordination with the transference of the weight of the body

the distance or space covered by such a motion

the sound made by such a movement

the impression made by such movement of the foot; footprint

the manner of walking or moving the feet; gait he received his prize with a proud step

a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance or part of a dance I have mastered the steps of the waltz

any of several paces or rhythmic movements in marching, dancing, etc the goose step

(plural) a course followed by a person in walking or as walking they followed in their leader's steps

one of a sequence of separate consecutive stages in the progression towards some goal another step towards socialism

a rank or grade in a series or scale he was always a step behind

an object or device that offers support for the foot when ascending or descending

(plural) a flight of stairs, esp out of doors

(plural) another name for stepladder

a very short easily walked distance it is only a step to my place

music a melodic interval of a second See whole tone, half-step

an offset or change in the level of a surface similar to the step of a stair

a strong block or frame bolted onto the keel of a vessel and fitted to receive the base of a mast

a ledge cut in mining or quarrying excavations

break step to cease to march in step

in step

marching, dancing, etc, in conformity with a specified pace or moving in unison with others
informal in agreement or harmony

keep step to remain walking, marching, dancing, etc, in unison or in a specified rhythm

out of step

not moving in conformity with a specified pace or in accordance with others
informal not in agreement; out of harmony

step by step with care and deliberation; gradually

take steps to undertake measures (to do something) with a view to the attainment of some end

watch one's step

informal to conduct oneself with caution and good behaviour
to walk or move carefully

verb steps, stepping or stepped

(intr) to move by raising the foot and then setting it down in a different position, transferring the weight of the body to this foot and repeating the process with the other foot

(intr; often foll by in, out, etc) to move or go on foot, esp for a short distance step this way, ladies

(intr) informal, mainly US to move, often in an attractive graceful manner, as in dancing he can really step around

(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to place or press the foot; tread to step on the accelerator

(intr usually foll by into) to enter (into a situation) apparently with ease she stepped into a life of luxury

(tr) to walk or take (a number of paces, etc) to step ten paces

(tr) to perform the steps of they step the tango well

(tr) to set or place (the foot)

(tr; usually foll by off or out) to measure (some distance of ground) by stepping

(tr) to arrange in or supply with a series of steps so as to avoid coincidence or symmetry

(tr) to raise (a mast) and fit it into its step

See also step down, step in, step on, step out, step up

Derived forms of step

steplike, adjective

Word Origin for step

Old English stepe, stæpe; related to Old Frisian stap, stepe, Old High German stapfo (German Stapfe footprint), Old Norse stapi high rock

British Dictionary definitions for step down (3 of 4)

Step

/ (stɛp) /

noun

a set of aerobic exercises designed to improve the cardiovascular system, which consists of stepping on and off a special box of adjustable height
(as modifier)Step aerobics

British Dictionary definitions for step down (4 of 4)

STEP

/ (stɛp) /

n acronym for

Special Temporary Employment Programme

Idioms and Phrases with step down (1 of 2)

step down

Resign from office, as in He threatened to step down if they continued to argue with him. [Late 1800s]

Reduce, especially in stages, as in They were stepping down the voltage. [c. 1900] Also see step up, def. 1.

Idioms and Phrases with step down (2 of 2)

step

In addition to the idioms beginning with step

step aside
step by step
step down
step in
step in the right direction, a
step into
step into someone's shoes
step on it
step on someone's toes
step out
step out of line
step up

also see:

false step
in step
(step) out of line
take steps
watch one's step

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

step-down

adjective Electricity.

Origin of step-down

Words nearby step-down

Definition for step down (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used without object), stepped, step·ping.

verb (used with object), stepped, step·ping.

Verb Phrases

Origin of step

OTHER WORDS FROM step

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH step

British Dictionary definitions for step down (1 of 4)

verb (adverb)

adjective step-down (prenominal)

noun step-down

British Dictionary definitions for step down (2 of 4)

noun

verb steps, stepping or stepped

Derived forms of step

Word Origin for step

British Dictionary definitions for step down (3 of 4)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for step down (4 of 4)

n acronym for

Idioms and Phrases with step down (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with step down (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

step-down

adjective Electricity.

Origin of step-down

Words nearby step-down

Definition for step down (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used without object), stepped, step·ping.

verb (used with object), stepped, step·ping.

Verb Phrases

Origin of step

OTHER WORDS FROM step

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH step

Words related to step down

British Dictionary definitions for step down (1 of 4)

verb (adverb)

adjective step-down (prenominal)

noun step-down

British Dictionary definitions for step down (2 of 4)

noun

verb steps, stepping or stepped

Derived forms of step

Word Origin for step

British Dictionary definitions for step down (3 of 4)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for step down (4 of 4)

n acronym for

Idioms and Phrases with step down (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with step down (2 of 2)