2 → see also stainless steel
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Steel is used to refer to the industry that produces steel and items made of steel. □ …a three-month study of European steel.
4 VERB If you steel yourself , you prepare to deal with something unpleasant. □ [V pron-refl + for/against ] Those involved are steeling themselves for the coming battle. □ [V pron-refl to-inf] I was steeling myself to call round when Simon arrived.
stee l band (steel bands ) N‑COUNT A steel band is a band of people who play music on special metal drums. Steel bands started in the West Indies.
steel|maker /stiː lme I ke r / (steelmakers ) N‑COUNT A steelmaker is a company that makes steel.
stee l woo l N‑UNCOUNT Steel wool is a mass of fine steel threads twisted together into a small ball and used for cleaning hard surfaces or removing paint.
steel|worker /stiː lwɜː r kə r / (steelworkers ) also steel worker N‑COUNT A steelworker is a person who works in a factory where steel is made.
steel|works /stiː lwɜː r ks/ (steelworks ) N‑COUNT A steelworks is a factory where steel is made.
steely /stiː li/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Steely is used to emphasize that a person is hard, strong, and determined. [EMPHASIS ] □ Their indecision has been replaced by confidence and steely determination.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use steely to describe something that has the grey colour of steel. □ …steely grey hair.
steep /stiː p/ (steeper , steepest )
1 ADJ A steep slope rises at a very sharp angle and is difficult to go up. □ San Francisco is built on 40 hills and some are very steep. □ …a narrow, steep-sided valley. ● steep|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The road climbs steeply, with good views of Orvieto through the trees. □ …steeply terraced valleys. □ …houses with steeply sloping roofs.
2 ADJ A steep increase or decrease in something is a very big increase or decrease. □ Consumers are rebelling at steep price increases. ● steep|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Unemployment is rising steeply.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that the price of something is steep , you mean that it is expensive. [INFORMAL ] □ The annual premium can be a little steep, but will be well worth it if your dog is injured.
steeped /stiː pt/ ADJ If a place or person is steeped in a quality or characteristic, they are surrounded by it or deeply influenced by it. □ [+ in ] The castle is steeped in history and legend.
steep|en /stiː pən/ (steepens , steepening , steepened ) VERB If a slope or an angle steepens , it becomes steeper. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] The road steepened and then levelled out suddenly.
stee|ple /stiː p ə l/ (steeples ) N‑COUNT A steeple is a tall pointed structure on top of the tower of a church.
steeple|chase /stiː p ə ltʃe I s/ (steeplechases )
1 N‑COUNT A steeplechase is a long horse race in which the horses have to jump over obstacles such as hedges and water jumps.
2 N‑COUNT A steeplechase is a 3000 metres race around a track, during which people jump over obstacles and water jumps.
steer /st I ə r / (steers , steering , steered )
1 VERB When you steer a car, boat, or plane, you control it so that it goes in the direction that you want. □ [V n] What is it like to steer a ship this size? □ [V n prep] When I was a kid, about six or seven, she would often let me steer the car along our driveway. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you steer people towards a particular course of action or attitude, you try to lead them gently in that direction. □ [V n prep] The new government is seen as one that will steer the country in the right direction.
3 VERB If you steer someone in a particular direction, you guide them there. □ [V n prep] Nick steered them into the nearest seats.
4 VERB If you steer a particular course , you take a particular line of action. □ [V n prep] The Prime Minister has sought to steer a course between the two groups.
5 → see also steering
6 PHRASE If you steer clear of someone or something, you deliberately avoid them. □ I think a lot of people, women in particular, steer clear of these sensitive issues.
steer|ing /st I ə r I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The steering in a car or other vehicle is the mechanical parts of it which make it possible to steer.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A steering committee or a steering group is a group of people that organizes the early stages of a project, and makes sure it progresses in a satisfactory way. □ There will be an economic steering committee with representatives of each of the republics.
stee r|ing col|umn (steering columns ) N‑COUNT In a car or other vehicle, the steering column is the rod on which the steering wheel is fixed.
stee r|ing wheel (steering wheels ) N‑COUNT In a car or other vehicle, the steering wheel is the wheel which the driver holds when he or she is driving.
stel|lar /ste lə r /
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Stellar is used to describe anything connected with stars. □ A stellar wind streams outward from the star.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A stellar person or thing is considered to be very good. □ The French companies are registering stellar profits.
stem ◆◇◇ /ste m/ (stems , stemming , stemmed )