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steak

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They're perhaps best known for its steak options, but don't skip on the dessert menu. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025 The menu is only two pages but covers a lot of diversified ground, offering burgers, sandwiches, steaks, salad, and pastas. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 6 Dec. 2025 Health inspectors gave the gas station a yellow placard after cheese pepperoni, ranchero steak and southwest chicken tornadoes on the roller grill measured outside of the temperature range considered safe. Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025 Juxtaposed with Milanese classics like vitello tonnato, an impeccable saffron risotto and a moreish osso bucco are an oh-so-American lobster roll and an upscale take on the French pepper steak. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steak

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of steak was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Steak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steak. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

steak

noun
1
: a slice of meat and especially beef
2
: a slice of a large fish (as swordfish)

More from Merriam-Webster on steak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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