steak

Everyday

1. A thick, flat slice of good meat, usually beef, cooked by grilling or frying. tree →
2. A thick slice of fish, such as a salmon or tuna steak. tree →
3. (UK) Cheaper chopped beef used in pies and stews: steak and kidney pie. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life steak is a special meal, often at a barbecue or restaurant, cooked rare, medium or well done. In food and health lessons it is a source of protein and iron. In Australia and New Zealand steak is a barbecue favourite. Phrases: steak and chips, a steak dinner, rare steak, steak pie.

Examples

• Dad grilled steaks on the barbecue. tree →
• I like my steak well done. tree →
• We had steak and chips for Dad's birthday. tree →
• A salmon steak is a thick slice of salmon. tree →
• Nan makes a delicious steak pie. tree →
• Vegetarians don't eat steak. tree →
• The cowboy ordered the biggest steak in the diner. tree →
• He gathered a bundle of sticks for a fire, and was just preparing to cook a steak, when his enemy, the Lapp, came up, panting with haste and excitement. tree →

Note

Homophone trap: steak (meat) and stake (a pointed stick; or money bet; or a share) sound the same. Countable for one piece (two steaks), uncountable as food in general (I don't eat steak). Food safety: rare steak is pink inside; minced beef (burgers) should be cooked through.