noun
Common
Devon
DEHV-uhn
Devon (noun) means a breed of sturdy, deep-red beef and dairy cattle that originated in the West Country of England. Example: “The farm kept a small herd of Devon cattle known for their rich milk.”
noun
1
A breed of sturdy, deep-red beef and dairy cattle that originated in the West Country of England.
"The farm kept a small herd of Devon cattle known for their rich milk."
2
A type of seasoned processed meat loaf, similar to a bologna or luncheon sausage, especially in Australian usage.
"Initial suspicions pointed at both food and water, narrowing down after a while to fritz (devon, as it is known in some states), a popular, bland, processed meat."
— The Bulletin (1995)
"She made sandwiches with slices of devon and tomato sauce."
How to use Devon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a breed of English cattle, or (mainly in Australia) a cheap sliced lunch meat.
UK vs US
The lunch-meat sense is chiefly Australian and New Zealand English; it is not used this way in the US or most of the UK.
Common pairings
Devon cattle
slice of devon
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Word forms
- Plural
- Devons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farm kept a small herd of _____ cattle known for their rich milk.
Etymology
Named after Devon, the English county, where the cattle breed originated; the processed meat sense followed the same place-name pattern much later.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “Devon” mean?
The word “Devon” means a breed of sturdy, deep-red beef and dairy cattle that originated in the West Country of England. In plain terms, either a breed of English cattle, or (mainly in Australia) a cheap sliced lunch meat.
How do you pronounce “Devon”?
“Devon” is pronounced DEHV-uhn (/ˈdɛv.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Devon” in a sentence?
Here is “Devon” used in a sentence: “The farm kept a small herd of Devon cattle known for their rich milk.”
What is another word for “Devon”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Devon” include Devonshire.
What part of speech is “Devon”?
“Devon” is a noun.
Is “Devon” a common word?
“Devon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Devon” have?
“Devon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a breed of sturdy, deep-red beef and dairy cattle that originated in the West Country of England.
What is the difference between Devon cattle and other beef breeds?
Devon cattle are a sturdy breed known for their deep-red coats, originating in the West Country of England, and are raised for both beef and dairy purposes. The name distinguishes them from other British cattle breeds by their regional origin and coloring.
What is Devon in Australian food usage?
In Australian usage, Devon refers to a type of seasoned processed meat loaf similar to bologna or luncheon sausage, typically sliced for sandwiches. This meaning is unrelated to the cattle breed and is specific to certain regional food traditions.
Is Devon always capitalized?
Yes, Devon is a proper noun in both senses, referring either to the English county-associated cattle breed or the processed meat product, and it is capitalized in each case.
