stepping stone
/ˈstɛp.ɪŋ stoʊn/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.92 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek.
noun
Something used as a way to progress to something or somewhere else.
Example Sentences
- "Falling—her veriest stepping-stone Shall form the pedestal of a throne— […]"
- "Pretty stone cottages overlook the river's northern bank, and a short footpath 200 yds beyond the post office leads to stepping-stones."
- "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."
- "I held it truth, with him who sings To one clear harp in divers tones, That men may rise on stepping-stones Of their dead selves to higher things."
- "It has already been shown that the Manchester South Junction & Altrincham (itself the joint property of the London & North Western and the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railways) served as a stepping stone by which the M.S.L.R. and G.N.R. extended their services from Manchester to Liverpool, […]."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈstɛp.ɪŋ stoʊn/
- British English: /ˈstɛp.ɪŋ stəʊn/