: an article of clothing put on by being stepped into: such as
a
: a shoe resembling but usually having a higher vamp than a pump and having concealed elastic to adjust the fit
b
: short panties for women
—usually used in plural
step-in
adjective
stepped in; stepping in; steps in
1
a
: to intervene in an affair or dispute
b
: to act as a replacement
2
: to make a brief informal visit
Synonyms
Examples of step-in in a Sentence
Verb
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class.
couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
With an overall geometry that leans into the carefree cycling of a beach cruiser and an easy-access step-in frame, the Electra Townie Go!
—Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024
The new soft and stretchy tongue delivers an easier step-in and more adaptive fit, making sliding these babies on and off a breeze.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2024
Cowboy's step-in app could be seen as a clever bit of guerrilla marketing, a sincere gesture of concern over soft-bricked e-bikes, or perhaps even a bit of empathy.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 July 2023
The entry floor holds the main bath plus two bedrooms; both have mini-split heat pumps, and the primary offers a walk-in closet and private bath with step-in double shower.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
The primary bedroom features a walk-in closet, a spacious bath with double vanities and step-in shower, and sliders to a private balcony.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
Three more bedrooms share a stylish new double-entry bath with step-in shower.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023
The frame uses a three-point mounting system to increase power transfer, control, and stability with this step-in design.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2023
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024
But as the record $52.5 billion in relief winds down, many states have stepped in with their own solutions.
—Moriah Balingit, Fortune, 14 May 2024
Limmer, an associate in Lewis Brisbois' Houston office, stepped in to de-escalate the conflict but his attempt to help prompted Landry to focus on him, according to the TV station.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
Andonovski thanked the Longs during his post-game comments, saying something like that — owners of a club stepping in with such help — might not have happened in recent years.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
As a result, many mothers and newborns miss crucial maternal and infant bonding steps in the postpartum period like skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 9 May 2024
Barry Levinson later stepped in as director, but the project never came to fruition.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 8 May 2024
This is the first step in the years-long asylum process.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 8 May 2024
The campus visits mark a final step in the presidential search process.
—Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
Noun
And players make step-in 3s at a notably higher rate than off the dribble or running off a screen.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
With an overall geometry that leans into the carefree cycling of a beach cruiser and an easy-access step-in frame, the Electra Townie Go!
—Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024
The new soft and stretchy tongue delivers an easier step-in and more adaptive fit, making sliding these babies on and off a breeze.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2024
Cowboy's step-in app could be seen as a clever bit of guerrilla marketing, a sincere gesture of concern over soft-bricked e-bikes, or perhaps even a bit of empathy.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 July 2023
The entry floor holds the main bath plus two bedrooms; both have mini-split heat pumps, and the primary offers a walk-in closet and private bath with step-in double shower.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
The primary bedroom features a walk-in closet, a spacious bath with double vanities and step-in shower, and sliders to a private balcony.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
Three more bedrooms share a stylish new double-entry bath with step-in shower.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023
The frame uses a three-point mounting system to increase power transfer, control, and stability with this step-in design.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2023
Verb
At some point, a nervous waiter (Manuel Guillot) steps in to serve them wine, and his inability to pour out a glass without spilling it all over the place becomes another gag that soon turns horrifically sour.
Or has it?
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024
But as the record $52.5 billion in relief winds down, many states have stepped in with their own solutions.
—Moriah Balingit, Fortune, 14 May 2024
Limmer, an associate in Lewis Brisbois' Houston office, stepped in to de-escalate the conflict but his attempt to help prompted Landry to focus on him, according to the TV station.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
Andonovski thanked the Longs during his post-game comments, saying something like that — owners of a club stepping in with such help — might not have happened in recent years.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
As a result, many mothers and newborns miss crucial maternal and infant bonding steps in the postpartum period like skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 9 May 2024
Barry Levinson later stepped in as director, but the project never came to fruition.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 8 May 2024
This is the first step in the years-long asylum process.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 8 May 2024
The campus visits mark a final step in the presidential search process.
—Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near step-in
Cite this Entry
“Step-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step-in. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share