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Synonyms

footstep

American  
[foot-step] / ˈfʊtˌstɛp /

noun

  1. the setting down of a foot, or the sound so produced; footfall; tread.

  2. the distance covered by a step in walking; pace.

  3. a footprint.

  4. a step by which to ascend or descend.

idioms

  1. follow in someone's footsteps, to succeed or imitate another person.

footstep British  
/ ˈfʊtˌstɛp /

noun

  1. the action of taking a step in walking

  2. the sound made by stepping or walking

  3. the distance covered with a step; pace

  4. a footmark

  5. a single stair; step

  6. to continue the tradition or example of another

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
footstep More Idioms  

  1. see follow in someone's footsteps.

Etymology

Origin of footstep

First recorded in 1175–1225, footstep is from Middle English foote steppe. See foot, step

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And is there anyone following in her footsteps?

From BBC

She bore and raised their seven children, several of whom followed in her professional footsteps.

From The Wall Street Journal

In this week’s episode of The Envelope podcast, the “Sentimental Value” star reflects on growing up onscreen and following in big sister Dakota Fanning’s footsteps.

From Los Angeles Times

I walked behind Red while my stomach grumbled with each footstep, the chant of food, food, food.

From Literature

Only the sound of two Finnish guards' footsteps in the snow broke the silence as they patrolled a new border fence.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.