That increases in stages. / (of a transformer etc) That increases a voltage.

(military) A step in marching, by which a soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25 degrees.

Alternative form of stepping stone

A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek. / (idiomatic) Something used as a way to progress to something or somewhere else.

a form of aerobics involving repeated stepping up onto, and down from a block or platform

To initiate a course of action, often against something that one disapproves of.

(transitive, idiomatic) To increase, augment, or advance, especially by one or more steps.

(intransitive, idiomatic) To assume or take responsibility.

(idiomatic) To resign from office; to abdicate. / To gradually reduce something, a little at a time, as an electronic step down transformer.

To walk up a set of stairs as exercise.