What does it mean to steel a knife?

Steeling a knife refers to the process of using a honing steel to realign the edge of a knife blade. This tool, typically made of a hard material like steel or ceramic, helps maintain the sharpness of the blade by straightening any misalignment caused by regular use. It does not sharpen the knife in the traditional sense but rather keeps the edge aligned for optimal cutting performance. Regularly steeling a knife can prolong its sharpness between actual sharpening sessions.