Stepwise

Origin

From step + -wise.

Full definition of stepwise

Adjective

1. One (small) step or stage at a time; gradual; piecemeal
• 2003, Steven Scott Phelps, tRNA interactions in the ribosomal A-site ... (page 48)The act of translation requires the stepwise decoding of the mRNA one codon at a time.

Adverb

1. One step or stage at a time; step by step