Beard refers to the hair that grows on a man's chin and cheeks.
In modern slang, a "beard" can also mean:
1. A woman who dates or marries a gay man to conceal his sexual orientation
2. Someone who provides an alibi or cover for another person's activities
3. In botany, the awn or bristle-like appendage of some plants
4. In zoology, the long hair on certain animals' chins or throats