Dictionary
1beef
noun \ˈbēf\
: meat from a cow
: muscles
plural beefs \ˈbēfs\ or beeves \ˈbēvz\
Full Definition of BEEF
1
: the flesh of an adult domestic bovine (as a steer or cow) used as food
2
a : an ox, cow, or bull in a full-grown or nearly full-grown state; especially : a steer or cow fattened for food <quality Texas beeves> <a herd of good beef> b : a dressed carcass of a beef animal
3
: muscular flesh : brawn
4
plural beefs : complaint
See beef defined for English-language learners
See beef defined for kids
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Illustration of BEEF
Origin of BEEF
Middle English, from Anglo-French beof, bef ox, beef, from Latin bov-, bos head of cattle — more at cow
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to BEEF
2beef
verb
Definition of BEEF
transitive verb
: to increase or add substance, strength, or power to —usually used with up <money to beef up its staff of professional economists — John Fischer>
intransitive verb
: complain <always beefing about something>
See beef defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BEEF
1860
Related to BEEF
- Synonyms
- complain, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl
BEEF[1] Defined for Kids
1beef
noun \ˈbēf\
plural beefs \ˈbēfs\ or beeves \ˈbēvz\
Definition of BEEF for Kids
1
: the meat of a steer, cow, or bull
2
: a steer, cow, or bull especially when fattened for food
3
plural beefs : complaint 2
2beef
verb
beefedbeef·ing
Definition of BEEF for Kids
: complain <He's always beefing about something.>
— beef up
: to add weight, strength, or power to <The coach beefed up the team's defense.>
Medical Dictionary
beef
noun \ˈbēf\
plural beefs \ˈbēfs\ or beeves \ˈbēvz\
Medical Definition of BEEF
: the flesh of an adult domestic bovine (as a steer or cow) used as food
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