footstep

noun
foot·​step | \ ˈfu̇t-ˌstep How to pronounce footstep (audio) \

Definition of footstep

1 : the mark of the foot : track
2a : tread
b : distance covered by a step : pace
3 : a step on which to ascend or descend
4 : a way of life, conduct, or action followed in his father's footsteps

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Synonyms for footstep

Synonyms

footmark, footprint, step, trace, vestige

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Examples of footstep in a Sentence

She slowly took one footstep toward the frightened animal. It's five footsteps from the bedroom to the bathroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Open Markets’ Sarah Miller says the leadership by state attorneys general after longtime federal inaction follows in the footsteps of an antitrust investigation into Microsoft two decades ago that led to changes in how the company operates. Washington Post, "The Latest: States can put pressure on federal tech probe," 6 Sep. 2019 In New York, following in the footsteps of Calvin Klein, which said goodbye to the runway last season, Derek Lam has decided to close his high-end line, skip the runway and focus on his contemporary label, 10 Crosby Street. Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, "Immigration! Influencers! Climate Change! What to Expect This Fashion Month," 4 Sep. 2019 The couple fell in love on set in 2016 while filming Folk Hero & Funny Guy together, following in the footsteps of Russell’s parents Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, who hit it off while shooting Swing Shift in 1983. Nigel Smith, PEOPLE.com, "Wyatt Russell and Girlfriend Meredith Hagner Marry at His Mom Goldie Hawn's House in Aspen," 2 Sep. 2019 The Ballard star announced his commitment to Louisville June 14 on social media, following in the footsteps of his father Josh Sr. David J. Kim, The Courier-Journal, "Preview of the future: UK commit Izayah Cummings vs. U of L commit Josh Minkins," 31 Aug. 2019 In Wright, the Rams may have found their next great receiver, following in the footsteps of Rashard Higgins, Michael Gallup and Preston Williams. Jake Shapiro, The Denver Post, "Dante Wright announces arrival for CSU Rams in Rocky Mountain Showdown," 31 Aug. 2019 The third-generation driver followed in the footsteps of his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. NBC News, "Dale Earnhardt Jr. says racing career helped 'insulate' him during plane crash," 30 Aug. 2019 Following in the footsteps of Mocking Spongebob and Confused Mr. Krabs, Traveling Spongebob was born when Twitter user @DIXIENORMOUS posted a picture of Spongebob photoshopped to look like a French woman. Megan Mccluskey, Time, "Say Goodbye to the Season With the Best Memes of Summer From Hot Girl Summer to #ChickenWars," 30 Aug. 2019 Writer and National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek’s Out of Eden Walk is a storytelling odyssey across the world in the footsteps of our human forebears. Paul Salopek, National Geographic, "These tea plantation workers in India face poverty—and dangers," 30 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of footstep

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for footstep

footstep

noun

English Language Learners Definition of footstep

: a movement made by your foot as you walk or run
: the distance covered by a step
: the sound of a foot making a step

footstep

noun
foot·​step | \ ˈfu̇t-ˌstep How to pronounce footstep (audio) \

Kids Definition of footstep

1 : a step of the foot Don't take another footstep!
2 : the distance covered by a step The bathroom is only a few footsteps away.
3 : footprint
4 : the sound of a foot taking a step We heard footsteps.
5 : a way of life or action He followed in his father's footsteps.

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