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 lunch and dinner menu hew to the traditional end of the spectrum, with dishes like spaghetti all’amatriciana and Florentine steak. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026

While Hegseth spends millions on steaks and lobster tails, ordinary American families are struggling to afford groceries. —Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026

Best Amazon Kitchen Deals Upgrade your kitchen with the $20 Lodge cast iron that makes easy work of egg scrambles, omelets, bacon, steaks, and stir fries. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026

There are other items on the menu — chicken, octopus, tuna, pork belly, as well as cheesy yuca bites that are a must — but the steak platters are the real draw, not only because of the quality of the meat but also the cost. —Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 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)