venison

noun

ven·​i·​son ˈve-nə-sən 

 also  -zən,

 British usually  ˈven-zən

plural venisons also venison

: the edible flesh of a game animal and especially a deer

Examples of venison in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The menu here celebrates local game and fish—think venison, duck, and pikeperch—alongside comfort fare like dumplings, gnocchi, and fondue, reimagined with global touches like dashi, caviar, and truffle. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025

Another standout was Le Chaumière, a traditional Valdostan chalet directly en piste, complete with timber interiors, costumed staff, and generous plates of venison stew and buttery polenta. —Erica Firpo, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

But not everyone has the time, setup, or interest to age venison quarters. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 28 Aug. 2025

Some of the best grain-free dog foods will contain animal proteins from bison, venison, rabbit and other fairly uncommon protein sources. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venisoun "game animal, meat of a game animal," borrowed from Anglo-French veneisun, going back to Latin vēnātiōn-, vēnātiō "hunting, game animals," from vēnārī "to go hunting, hunt" (probably derivative of a nominal stem *wēn- "hunting, of the hunt," lengthened-grade derivative of a verbal stem *wen- "wish, desire") + -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at venus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Video

Words of the Year: 1066

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

Kids Definition

venison

noun

ven·​i·​son ˈven-ə-sən 

 also  -ə-zən

: the flesh of a deer used as food

Etymology

Middle English venison "the flesh of a game animal hunted for food," from early French veneisun "flesh of hunted animals, venison," from Latin venation-, venatio, "hunting," from venari "to hunt"