venison

American  

[ven-uh-suhn, -zuhn] / ˈvɛn ə sən, -zən /

noun

1. the flesh of a deer or similar animal as used for food.

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venison British  

/ ˈvɛnɪzən, -sən /

noun

1. the flesh of a deer, used as food

2. archaic the flesh of any game animal used for food

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Etymology

Origin of venison

1250–1300; Middle English ven ( a ) ison < Old French veneison, venaison < Latin vēnātiōn (stem of vēnātiō hunting), equivalent to vēnāt ( us ) ( see venatic) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Bambi, beware. Venison is deer meat intended as food. Venison is derived from the medieval French word venesoun, which originally described the meat of any large animal, not just deer. Back then, venison was as common as a Big Mac today (rather than as the fairly classy meal it's considered today). In Britain, before 1066, when the French came over and conquered them, the Brits had pretty simple names for their meat: cow, pig, deer, etc. The French, with their high regard for cuisine, changed all that, and the names became beef, bacon, and venison. The British, though, despite the fancy new names, famously refused to take cooking as seriously as their new French rulers.

Example Sentences

They demolished plates of dried beef, hoecakes, pickled eggs, roast venison and fried parsnips.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The Country Food Trust is a food poverty charity that uses venison from deer shot on estates and farms to provide meals at 1,500 foodbanks, homeless shelters and community kitchens across the UK.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

These hunks of gently cooked fish and venison took up most of my freezer and cost a fortune, but I felt virtuous knowing that my dog was eating “human grade” fare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

There is widespread agreement among some of the experts I've spoken to that eating more venison is an attractive option.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

“There’s a piece of venison behind, and Mr. Trask brought a little something.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck