stepping stone

See also: steppingstone and stepping-stone

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

First attested circa 1325; first used in the figurative sense circa 1653.

Pronunciation

  • enPR: stĕpʹĭng-stōn′
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈstɛp.ɪŋ stəʊn/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈstɛp.ɪŋ stoʊn/
  • (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈstɛp.ɪŋ stɐʉn/
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

stepping stone (plural stepping stones)

  1. A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek.
    • 1829, Edgar Allan Poe, “Tamerlane”, in Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems:
      Falling—her veriest stepping-stone
      Shall form the pedestal of a throne— […]
    • 1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 171, about Egton Bridge:
      Pretty stone cottages overlook the river's northern bank, and a short footpath 200 yds beyond the post office leads to stepping-stones.
  2. (idiomatic) Something used as a way to progress to something or somewhere else.
    He was full of ambition, and force, and life, intending all sorts of great things, and meaning to make his position a stepping stone to all that was excellent in public life.
    Esperanto can make a good stepping stone language to Latin, which may be difficult for amateur linguists.

Synonyms

Translations

See also

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