steak

American  

[steyk] / steɪk /

noun

1. a typically thick slice of meat, especially beef, or a thick slice of firm, hearty fish, cooked by broiling, pan-frying, etc.: salmon steaks.

   a sirloin steak;

   salmon steaks.

2. ground or chopped meat prepared in the same manner as a steak.

3. a thick slice of a hearty vegetable or other meaty food: tofu steaks.

   eggplant steaks;

   tofu steaks.

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steak British  

/ steɪk /

noun

1. See beefsteak

2. any of various cuts of beef of varying quality, used for braising, stewing, etc

3. a thick slice of pork, veal, etc, or of a large fish, esp cod or salmon

4. minced meat prepared in the same way as steak

   hamburger steak

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Etymology

Origin of steak

1400–50; late Middle English steike < Old Norse steik meat roasted on a stick

Explanation

If you order steak at a restaurant, you'll probably be served a thick piece of cooked meat. Although most people use the noun steak to mean a slice of grilled or broiled beef, it can be used to talk about any kind of meat or fish. Many people like to cook tuna steaks on the grill or order a medium-rare T-bone steak at a restaurant. Since the fifteenth century, steak has meant "thick slice of meat," from the Old Norse root word steik, "roast meat."

Example Sentences

Biglari, who is also the CEO of rival restaurant chain Steak ’n Shake, is a shareholder in Cracker Barrel through his investment funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

San Luis Obispo’s long-running Cattaneo Bros. makes the linguica sausage that’s served as an appetizer at Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House and a filling for the Copper Cafe’s omelet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2025

Steak, mashed potatoes and deserts for astronauts could soon be grown from individual cells in space if an experiment launched into orbit today is successful.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

Force of Nature Venison Tomahawk Steak You’ve heard of a beef tomahawk.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Waiting for Uhmma at Johnny’s Steak House is better than “Please do not touch that” if we wait at Gomo’s house.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na