This is the 6140th most frequent Russian word.
ступень
"Ступень" means "step" or "stage" in English.
The word 'ступень' is used here to mean 'step' or 'stair' of a staircase.
Он поднялся на следующую ступень лестницы.
He stepped onto the next step of the staircase.
In this sentence, 'ступень' represents a metaphorical stage or level in a progression.
Её успехи в учебе — это новая ступень в её карьере.
Her achievements in education are a new stage in her career.
Here 'ступень' (in the plural form 'ступенек') refers to the physical steps of a ladder.