veal

American  

[veel] / vil /

noun

1. Also vealer a calf raised for its meat, usually a milk-fed animal less than three months old.

2. the flesh of the calf as used for food.

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veal British  

/ viːl /

noun

1. the flesh of the calf used as food

2. Also called: veal calf.  a calf, esp one bred for eating

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Etymology

Origin of veal

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ve(e)l, from Anglo-French vel (compare Old French veel, veal), from Latin vitellus, diminutive of vitulus “calf”

Example Sentences

If you go to a restaurant charging €19.50, your total cost for a veal steak with rice and a crème brûlée is just $23 at current exchange rates.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Supply shortages helped drive beef and veal prices up by more than 16%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

Prices for beef and veal are up more than 14% since last year, rising 1.2% over-the-month.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2025

So now you can sit outside if you prefer and finish the day with a nice plate of pasta, a veal chop and a glass of wine.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2024

Last night George had eaten two plates of roast beef, veal and ham pie, carrots sweet as candy, and a mysterious dessert called meringue pudding.

From "I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912" by Lauren Tarshis