doorstep

noun
door·​step | \ ˈdȯr-ˌstep How to pronounce doorstep (audio) \

Definition of doorstep

: a step before an outer door
on one's doorstep
: close at hand especially : too close to be overlooked

Examples of doorstep in a Sentence

We sat on the doorstep. The police were at my doorstep.

Recent Examples on the Web

His useless sister Laurie (Tina Benko) is an addict whose 16-year-old daughter, Tess, turns up on Lionel’s doorstep in need of some emergency parenting while her mom tries to sort herself out in rehab. Kyle Smith, National Review, "The Movies Take On Limbaugh, Levin, et al.," 21 Aug. 2019 Two of the candidates arrive on Chicago’s doorstep dealing with controversies regarding issues of race. Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "Wave of Democratic presidential hopefuls heading to Chicago for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s convention," 27 June 2019 Pacaccio was found fatally stabbed on her family’s doorstep. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, "Jurors visit ‘Hollywood Ripper’ murder scene of Bay Area woman dating Ashton Kutcher," 21 June 2019 Large-scale military exercises last month on Russia’s doorstep — in Poland and the Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia — were meant to signal Western unity, resolve and readiness in the face of any potential threat. Laura King, latimes.com, "Poland sees opportunity and peril in NATO summit and Trump-Putin meeting," 9 July 2018 For a point guard, life on the NBA’s doorstep can unjustly funnel players into a box. Jake Fischer, SI.com, "The Winding NBA Journey of the Warriors' Quinn Cook," 24 Apr. 2018 There is no replacement for frictionless trade with a single market of 450m people on Britain’s doorstep, whatever the government’s hopes for trade deals with countries, like America, that are oceans away. The Economist, "British productivity is rising at last. But Brexit looms over the economy," 14 Apr. 2018 Dorothy, bruised and dazed from another round of Frank’s abuse, shows up naked on Sandy’s doorstep, looking for Jeffrey. Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Great movies about faith are hard to come by. Enter Blue Velvet.," 5 Apr. 2018 Presumably black holes should be there as well, either born on the galactic center’s doorstep from the deaths of massive stars or arriving via migration from farther out. Lee Billings, Scientific American, "Astronomers Spy Swarms of Black Holes at Our Galaxy's Core," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doorstep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of doorstep

1767, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for doorstep

doorstep

noun

English Language Learners Definition of doorstep

: a step or series of steps leading up to one of the doors that is used to enter or leave a building

doorstep

noun
door·​step | \ ˈdȯr-ˌstep How to pronounce doorstep (audio) \

Kids Definition of doorstep

: a step or a series of steps in front of an outside door

Keep scrolling for more