Main Entry: ¹beef

Pronunciation: \ˈbēf\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural beefs \ˈbēfs\ or beeves \ˈbēvz\

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French beof, bef ox, beef, from Latin bov-, bos head of cattle — more at cow

Date: 14th century

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

[beef illustration]