doorstep

noun

door·​step ˈdȯr-ˌstep How to pronounce doorstep (audio)
: a step before an outer door
Phrases
on one's doorstep
: close at hand
especially : too close to be overlooked

Examples of doorstep in a Sentence

We sat on the doorstep. The police were at my doorstep.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the end of the season, President George W. Bush arrives at the family’s doorstep, masquerading as Rumi’s friend while barely concealing his sinister intentions. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 2 June 2025 Ideal for patio hangouts, garden seating and poolside lounging, Better Homes & Gardens’ Bellamy Round Wicker Egg Chair checks all the boxes for outdoor relaxation and can be at your doorstep as early as tomorrow. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025 One by one, they young pups had been abandoned by their mom on the doorstep of a homeowner in Tennessee for reasons that would later become apparent. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 Setup / First Impressions The on-off button and level selection button Photo: Stewart Savin The pull-out dirt tank that allows for tidy disposal Photo: Stewart Savin This item showed up quickly on my doorstep in one compact package. Stewart Savin, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for doorstep

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doorstep was in 1767

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doorstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doorstep. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

doorstep

noun
door·​step -ˌstep How to pronounce doorstep (audio)
: a step or series of steps before an outer door

More from Merriam-Webster on doorstep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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