stepping stoneBrE /ˈstepɪŋ stəʊn/ 🔊NAmE /ˈstepɪŋ stoʊn/ 🔊 nounone of a line of flat stones that you step on in order to cross a stream or river （小溪、小河中的）踏脚石something that allows you to make progress or begin to achieve sth 进身之阶；垫脚石；敲门砖◆a stepping stone to a more lucrative career涉足更赚钱的行业的敲门砖