Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An animal of the genus Bos, especially the common species, B. taurus, including the bull, cow, and ox, in their full grown state; esp., an ox or cow fattened for food. 2. (n.) The flesh of an ox, or cow, or of any adult bovine animal, when slaughtered for food. 3. (n.) Applied colloquially to human flesh. 4. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, beef. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEEF bef. See CATTLE.