sirloin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal; common in culinary, retail, and dining contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sirloin” mean?
A premium cut of beef from the upper part of the loin, known for its tenderness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A premium cut of beef from the upper part of the loin, known for its tenderness.
A specific and relatively expensive meat cut; by extension, can metaphorically refer to the best or choicest part of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK butchery, 'sirloin' typically refers to a cut from the upper middle of the animal, equivalent to part of the American 'short loin'. In US butchery, it is specifically the cut from the rear of the loin, behind the 'short loin'. The UK 'sirloin' may be boneless, while the US cut often includes a portion of the backbone. The UK 'sirloin steak' is generally considered equivalent to the US 'strip steak' or 'New York strip'.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes quality and is a standard menu item. Slightly more formal/butcher-specific than 'ribeye' or 'rump'.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in food-related contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “sirloin” in a Sentence
[adjective] + sirloinsirloin + [prepositional phrase: of beef]sirloin + [noun: steak/joint/roast]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sirloin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard. The word is not used as a verb.)
American English
- (Not standard. The word is not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable.)
American English
- (Not applicable.)
adjective
British English
- (Attributive use only, e.g., 'sirloin joint', 'sirloin cut')
American English
- (Attributive use only, e.g., 'sirloin tip', 'sirloin roast')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in hospitality, catering, and meat supply industries (e.g., 'We've seen a 10% price increase on prime sirloin.').
Academic
Rare, except in specific fields like animal science, nutrition, or culinary history.
Everyday
Common when discussing cooking, ordering at a restaurant, or grocery shopping (e.g., 'Shall we get a sirloin for the barbecue?').
Technical
Precise term in butchery, meat grading, and culinary arts, with specific sub-cuts (e.g., top sirloin butt, sirloin tip).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sirloin”
- Misspelling as 'sir lion', 'sir loin'. Using it as an uncountable noun (*'some sirloin') is less common; 'some sirloin steak' is preferred. Confusing it with 'tenderloin' or 'fillet'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Sirloin and fillet (or tenderloin) are different cuts from the loin section. Sirloin is from the upper back, prized for flavour and moderate tenderness. Fillet is from the inner, less-worked muscle under the spine, and is the most tender but often less flavorful cut.
It is used in both British and American English, but it refers to slightly different, though overlapping, cuts of meat due to differing butchery traditions.
Primarily beef. It is very rarely used for pork (e.g., 'pork sirloin chop'), but this is not standard. For other animals, 'loin' is the generic term.
The etymology is debated. It likely derives from the Old French 'surloigne' ('sur' meaning 'above' + 'loigne' meaning 'loin'), not from a story about an English king knighting a piece of meat ('Sir Loin'), which is a folk etymology.
A premium cut of beef from the upper part of the loin, known for its tenderness.
Sirloin is usually neutral to formal; common in culinary, retail, and dining contexts. in register.
Sirloin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɜːlɔɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɜːrlɔɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The sirloin of the market (metaphorical for the best part).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a knight being 'Sir Loin' – a noble and high-ranking cut of meat.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS HEIGHT / SOCIAL STATUS (a 'high' or 'superior' cut).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'sirloin' LEAST likely to be used?