steak

noun

ˈstāk 

plural steaks

1

a

: a slice of meat cut from a fleshy part of a beef carcass

b

: a similar slice of a specified meat other than beef

ham steak

c

: a cross-section slice of a large fish

swordfish steak

d

: a thick slice or piece of a non-meat food especially when prepared or served in the manner of a beef steak

tofu/portobello steaks

a cauliflower steak

2

a

: ground beef prepared for cooking or for serving in the manner of a steak

hamburger steak

b

: a non-meat food formed into a patty and cooked

lentil steak

wild mushroom steak

Examples of steak in a Sentence

I grilled a steak for dinner.

We had steak and potatoes for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

For afternoon tea or a proper meal, head to the restaurant Ochre which serves dishes like Devon crab linguine and Hereford rib-rye steak with views over Trafalgar Square. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

But behind the crisp white tablecloths, strict dress code and expensive steak dinners was a kitchen full of immigrant workers washing dishes, preparing food and keeping the restaurant running. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Its rooftop bar, Zefiro, is a hotspot for creative cocktails with views of the Duomo, while a restaurant by Korean-American chef Akira Back, who trained under Nobu, brings delicious Japanese fusion cuisine to a city dominated by pasta and steak. — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

The steak was crisp and deeply browned on the outside, with a tender, savory center underneath, and the blanket of brown gravy softened the crunchy crust and added a rich, salty flavor without overpowering the meat. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English steke, from Old Norse steik; akin to Old Norse steikja to roast on a stake, stik stick, stake — more at stick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing steak

• carpetbag steak
• chicken-fried steak
• club steak
• cube steak
• Delmonico steak
• flank steak
• hanger steak
• minute steak
• rib eye steak
• round steak
• Salisbury steak
• shell steak
• skirt steak
• steak house
• steak knife
• steak tartare
• Swiss steak
• T-bone steak

Rhymes for steak

• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake
• jake

Kids Definition

steak

noun

ˈstāk 

1

: a slice of meat and especially beef

2

: a slice of a large fish (as swordfish)