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

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

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"