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

The Wongs interacted with customers on Sunday during the eatery’s bittersweet final day, as diners were eager for one last plate of pancakes or country fried steak. — Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026

The test forks were thin enough for home composting, though too bendy for stabbing a steak. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

As waiters in black suits served steak and peach cobbler, Rick Perry, the former Texas governor and the former Republican Presidential candidate, and the chairman of Americans for Ibogaine, leaped to his feet. — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Jose Oliver, owner of Cantina Taco Grill, said his restaurant specializes in serving tacos with more upscale ingredients like New York strip and ribeye steak. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 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)