beef

¹beef

noun \ˈbēf\

plural beefs\ˈbēfs\ or beeves\ˈbēvz\

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

Examples of BEEF

1. I'm not eating as much beef as I used to.
2. My real beef is with the organization's president, not the group itself.

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: 14th century

Related to BEEF

Synonyms: complaint, bitch, bleat, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer

Related Words: challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink

Near Antonyms: commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with BEEF

brief, chief, fief, grief, kef, leaf, lief, reef, sheaf, thief