beef cattle

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. cattle, as Hereford, raised for their edible meat.

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Etymology

Origin of beef cattle

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60

Example Sentences

America’s beef cattle are typically raised on ranches where they graze on open pastures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

As a result, the U.S. beef cattle inventory shrank to its lowest level since 1962, a problem that restricts beef supplies for years.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

U.S. beef cattle inventory fell 1% over the past year to 27.6 million heads, according to a Jan. 1 estimate from the National Agricultural Statistics Services.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Johnny Tuft, a fourth generation farmer from Ballinderry in County Antrim, farms a mixed farm with beef cattle, sheep, arable and poultry units and is often exposed to dust particles.

From BBC • May 15, 2025

There were beef cattle and dairy cows, horses, pigs, goats, and lambs.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García