stepping stone

Alternative forms

• stepping-stone

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• enPR: stĕpʹĭng-stōn′

Noun

stepping stone (plural stepping stones)

1. A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek.
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.