- a stone, or one of a line of stones, in shallow water, a marshy place, or the like, that is stepped on in crossing.
- a stone for use in mounting or ascending.
- any means or stage of advancement or improvement: She looked on the governorship as a steppingstone to the presidency.
- one of a series of stones acting as footrests for crossing streams, marshes, etc
- a circumstance that assists progress towards some goal
