step-down adjective 2step down verb 2forms 3 adjective2 •That decreases in stages. •That reduces a voltage. step down verb2 •To resign or retire from an office or position of authority.She now wants to be a Paris MP. But Fillon wants the same Paris seat when he steps down, after next year's election. Both have their eye on the main prize: running for Paris mayor in 2014. — 2011 •(figurative) To reduce gradually or incrementally. formsstepped down · stepping down · steps down