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beefeater

American  
[beef-ee-ter] / ˈbifˌi tər /

noun

  1. a yeoman of the English royal guard or a warder of the Tower of London.

  2. Informal. an Englishman.

  3. a person who eats beef.


beefeater British  
/ ˈbiːfˌiːtə /

noun

  1. a nickname often applied to the Yeomen of the Guard and the Yeomen Warders at the Tower of London

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of beefeater

First recorded in 1600–10; beef + eat ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pernod, based in Paris, oversees a portfolio of 200 spirits brands, including Jameson Irish whiskey and Beefeater London gin, and has a market value of around $17 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

But Britain’s vegan embrace — in the country of fish and chips and Beefeater ceremonial guards at the Tower of London — has gotten a cold shoulder at London’s renowned Claridge’s hotel.

From Washington Post • Nov. 13, 2021

But Britain’s vegan embrace – in the country of fish and chips and Beefeater ceremonial guards at the Tower of London – has gotten a cold shoulder at London’s renowned Claridge’s hotel.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2021

As if on cue, two excited young visitors were brought over by Beefeater Gary Burridge, having spotted Megan from afar.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2021

Walking with him past a hotel, I watched as he stared at a doorman dressed like a Beefeater.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

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