venison

American  

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

noun

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

---

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

---

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

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

They were caught using cage-type traps baited with venison and quail, a small game bird.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 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

And, frankly, he didn’t care for venison anyway.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck