stepping stone

Noun

stepping stone (plural stepping stones)

1. A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek.
   • Falling—her veriest stepping-stone
     Shall form the pedestal of a throne— […]1829, Edgar Allan Poe, “Tamerlane”, in Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems
   • Pretty stone cottages overlook the river's northern bank, and a short footpath 200 yds beyond the post office leads to stepping-stones.1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 171, about Egton Bridge

   Synonyms:

   means, way

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.