This is the 259th most frequent German word.
schritt
Step.
Here, 'Schritt' is used metaphorically to signify the initial action in a sequence leading to an outcome.
Der erste Schritt auf dem Weg zum Erfolg ist die Planung.
The first step on the path to success is the planning.
'Schritt' is used here to describe a literal physical step in progressing forward.
Mit jedem Schritt fühlte er die Müdigkeit stärker.
With every step, he felt the fatigue more strongly.
In this context, 'Schritt' is used literally to refer to a single movement of stepping backward.