stepping-stone /ˈstɛpɪŋˌstoʊn/ noun plural stepping-stones
plural stepping-stones
Learner's definition of STEPPING-STONE
[count]
1
: a large, flat stone that you step on to cross a stream(过小溪、小河的)踏脚石
2
: something that helps you get or achieve something垫脚石;进身之阶;达到目的的手段