venison

noun

ven·​i·​son ˈve-nə-sən How to pronounce venison (audio)
 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 Expect the likes of venison tartare, king crab ravioli, and reindeer shank, beautifully presented with thoughtful accompaniments. David Nikel, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 While many of us hunt for the tradition, camaraderie, and challenge that deer hunting brings, many others hunt mostly to fill their freezer with venison. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2024 The Seeker: venison and biscuits Dallas chef Stephan Pyles is returning to his West Texas roots with a Stephenville restaurant. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2024 Thus would a medieval liege lord have accepted obeisance from his vassals; all that was missing was the flicker of torchlight and the haunch of venison turning on its spit. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for venison 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'venison.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of venison was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near venison

Cite this Entry

“Venison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venison. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

venison

noun
ven·​i·​son ˈven-ə-sən How to pronounce venison (audio)
 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on venison

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