stepping-stone

A child uses a stepping-stone to cross a small stream.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stone used to step on: A stepping-stone is a flat, solid stone placed in a pathway, especially across a stream or muddy ground, to help a person walk without getting wet or dirty.
   • A means of progress: In a figurative sense, a stepping-stone is something that helps you advance toward a goal, often a job, position, or achievement.

Usage Examples

• Literal use:
  • We placed stepping-stones across the garden path to avoid the mud. (Flat stones used as steps.)
• Figurative use:
  • This internship was a stepping-stone to a full-time career in medicine. (A helpful step toward a larger goal.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a stepping-stone to something": to serve as a means of reaching a higher or more important position.

  • The junior role was merely a stepping-stone to the executive position. (The smaller job helped achieve the bigger one.)

• "to use something as a stepping-stone": to exploit an experience or resource for future gain.

  • She used her volunteer work as a stepping-stone to get into a prestigious university. (She leveraged it to advance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stepping-stone (also written as or ): the same noun, often hyphenated.
• Step (n): a single movement or action in a sequence.
  • Each step in the process is important. (Individual action.)
• Stone (n): a piece of rock.
  • The path was made of smooth stones. (Material.)

Synonyms

• Springboard: something that provides a starting point or impetus for progress.
  • The scholarship was a springboard for her academic success. (A launching point.)
• Launchpad: a platform or situation that helps someone begin a career or activity.
  • The small theater was a launchpad for many famous actors. (A starting point.)
• Foundation: a base on which something is built.
  • The course gave her a foundation in chemistry. (Basic support.)

Related Idioms

• A stepping-stone to success: a means of achieving success.
  • Hard work is often a stepping-stone to success. (A necessary step.)
• Step by step: gradually, one step at a time.
  • He learned the language step by step, using each lesson as a stepping-stone. (Progressively.)