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.
Every Christmas my Grandma makes the most incredible Goan-spiced roast mutton. Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 Denver Broncos Kids with helmets of the Broncos’ opponents go mutton busting (sheep riding) with Mark Johnson, the voice of the Colorado Buffaloes, narrating. Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Another key difference between chatte rass and other Kashmiri mutton dishes is the amount of water used. Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025 But nothing quite compares to the sight of Pierce, in full mutton chops, dancing around in a jazzy revamp of the show’s most iconic number. Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 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 10 Jun. 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
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