What does sirloin mean?
A sirloin is a tender cut of beef taken from the loin, the area along the animal’s back, and it is usually roasted, grilled, or pan-seared. In contemporary American usage, the term most often means the top-strip sirloin, a substantial steak with a tender texture and a strip of fat along one edge; the tenderloin is a different, especially tender cut. Sirloin is valued in both everyday cooking and restaurant menus, where it suggests a relatively expensive, high-quality piece of beef. The word combines the idea of a cut above the loin with the older English word “loin,” and its culinary use reflects the longstanding importance of beef cuts in British and American cooking. Although “sirloin” and “tenderloin” are sometimes confused, they can name distinct cuts depending on regional and restaurant usage.
nounA cut of beef from the loin, especially the tenderloin or the portion immediately above it. It is valued for tenderness and is commonly roasted, grilled, or sliced.
- A tender cut of beef from the loin of the animal.
- A piece of sirloin steak served as food.
"She served the guests pan-seared sirloin with roasted vegetables and a red-wine sauce."
"The butcher recommended a small sirloin for the barbecue."
"This restaurant is known for its charcoal-grilled sirloin and extensive wine list."
Plural is used when referring to multiple cuts or pieces of sirloin.
"The butcher prepared two thick sirloins for the restaurant."
The word sirloin literally means “above the loin,” a description that neatly places the cut on the animal’s back.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sirloin come from?
The word entered English in the late 16th century from French “surlon” or “surlonge,” meaning “above the loin.” Its second element is related to the French word “longe,” the source of English “loin,” and ultimately reflects Latin “longus,” meaning “long.” Related English forms such as “longitude” and “longitudinal” continue to reflect that Latin root.
Related word forms
How sirloin is actually used
In modern American English, “sirloin” often refers specifically to the top-strip sirloin, while “tenderloin” names the smaller, very tender cut within the loin. British usage has historically varied, and “sirloin” can sometimes refer more broadly to the loin or tenderloin.
Easily confused with sirloin
Sirloin comes from the loin and is usually a tender cut of beef, whereas tenderloin is the specific tender muscle within the loin.
Loin is the broader anatomical region and the source of several cuts, while sirloin denotes a particular cut from that region.