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

Los Angeles beefed up its Home-Sharing Ordinance in March, calling for increased fines and more staff to monitor violations.

From Los Angeles Times

Stew beef and mushrooms sizzle in butter and herbs until browned.

From Salon

Third, there is a pronounced focus throughout the changes on beefing up the economic know-how in 10 Downing Street.

From BBC

But both sides have touted it as a win, leaving room to reignite long-running disagreements over issues like U.S. rice and beef, which have been subject to import restrictions in South Korea.

From Los Angeles Times

After a series of high-profile incidents — including the armed robbery of a diner’s $500,000 watch at a local restaurant — the city beefed up patrols and security details.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• meat