beef

American  

[beef] / bif /

noun

plural

beeves, beefs

1. the flesh of a cow, steer, or bull raised and killed for its meat.

2. an adult cow, steer, or bull raised for its meat.

3. Informal.

   1. brawn; muscular strength.

   2. strength; power.

   3. weight, as of a person.

   4. human flesh.

4. Slang.

   1. a complaint.

   2. an argument or dispute.

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verb (used without object)

1. Slang. to complain; grumble.

verb phrase

1. beef up

   1. to add strength, numbers, force, etc., to; strengthen.

      During the riots, the nighttime patrol force was beefed up with volunteers.

   2. to increase or add to.

      to beef up our fringe benefits.

beef British  

/ biːf /

noun

1. the flesh of various bovine animals, esp the cow, when killed for eating

2. an adult ox, bull, cow, etc, reared for its meat

3. informal human flesh, esp when muscular

4. a complaint

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verb

1. slang (intr) to complain, esp repeatedly

   he was beefing about his tax

2. informal to strengthen; reinforce

beef Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing beef

• where's the beef

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Other Word Forms

• beefless adjective

Etymology

Origin of beef

First recorded in 1250–1300; 1885–90 beef for def. 5; Middle English, from Anglo-French beof, Old French boef, from Latin bov- (stem of bōs ) “ox, cow”; akin to cow ¹

Example Sentences

Full-fat dairy is encouraged, while butter and beef tallow are viewed as acceptable.

From Barron's

They mark a departure from earlier federal dietary advice—for instance, recommending full-fat dairy foods and cooking with butter and beef tallow.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Other options can include butter or beef tallow,” it adds, which goes against most nutrition advice about limiting saturated fats.

From MarketWatch

She said organizations like hers — which use diplomacy to quash street beefs before they spill over into bloodshed — have also become lifelines for certain neighborhoods by providing diapers, formula, and other essential supplies.

From Los Angeles Times

A braised beef ragù that’s great on top of pasta or a creamy polenta, or as a stew if you add more vegetables.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• meat