footstep

noun

foot·​step ˈfu̇t-ˌstep 

1

: the mark of the foot : track

2

a

: 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 their father's footsteps

Synonyms of footstep

• footprint
• step

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

Before new visitors arrive, previous visitors’ footsteps are apparently erased by an invisible team of sand-rakers. —Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

The Streamliner Pump is merely following in its predecessors’ footsteps. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 May 2026

Following in the footsteps of Pink’s Fancy Some More? —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026

Gotay’s son, a senior at Timber Creek High School who is also named Efrain, will be following in his parents’ footsteps to pursue a nursing degree. —Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for footstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• instep
• lockstep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

footstep

noun

foot·​step -ˌstep 

1

a

: a step of the foot

b

: the distance covered by a step : pace

2

a

: the mark of the foot

b

: the sound of a footstep

3

: a step on which to go up or down