mutton

noun

mut·​ton ˈmə-tᵊn How to pronounce mutton (audio)
: the flesh of a mature sheep used for food
muttony
ˈmə-tᵊn-ē How to pronounce mutton (audio)
ˈmət-nē
adjective

Examples of mutton in a Sentence

a meal of mutton and potatoes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Long sideburns and mutton chops are not specifically banned. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025 His mutton chops reach down to the curve of his jaw, and the rest of his dark hair is kept long and tousled. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2025 Even in summer, the high ground temperature rarely goes above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and growing anything other than grass and tenacious root vegetables is nigh impossible; but the lamb and mutton here can lay claim to being the tastiest in the world. Tim Ecott, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2023 Traditional alt proteins date back to at least 965 CE in China, when a poor government official substituted cheap tofu made from soybeans for costly mutton. Marianne Krasny, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mutton

Word History

Etymology

Middle English motoun, mutton, sheep, from Anglo-French mutun ram, sheep, mutton, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish molt wether

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutton was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mutton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutton. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

mutton

noun
mut·​ton ˈmət-ᵊn How to pronounce mutton (audio)
: the flesh of a mature sheep used for food
Etymology

from French mouton "sheep"

More from Merriam-Webster on mutton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!