beef

[beef]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

1. slang,  (intr) to complain, esp repeatedly

   he was beefing about his tax

2. informal,  to strengthen; reinforce

Other Word Forms

• beefless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beef¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of beef¹

C13: from Old French boef , from Latin bōs ox; see _cow ¹

Idioms and Phrases

• where's the beef

Example Sentences

The president has cut tariffs on grocery items like coffee, bananas, beef and avocados.

Read more on BBC

The authorities in Lagos - the most populous state in Nigeria - said they were beefing up security at schools, places of worship and other key buildings to prevent attacks.

Read more on BBC

One of the farms targeted belonged to William Maughan, a beef, poultry and arable farmer in County Durham whose parents live on the premises.

Read more on BBC

Rachel attempts to help with the cooking, creating a trifle that includes custard, jam, beef and peas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The largest meat supplier in the U.S. has lost more than $425 million on beef this year, despite near record-high prices.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• meat