Stepping-stone \Step"ping-stone`\, n. 1. A stone to raise the feet above the surface of water or mud in walking. [1913 Webster] 2. Fig.: A means of progress or advancement. [1913 Webster] These obstacles his genius had turned into stepping-stones. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] That men may rise on stepping-stones Of their dead selves to higher things. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]