1
a
: a female chicken especially over a year old
broadly : a female bird
b
: the female of various mostly aquatic animals (such as lobsters or fish)
2
: woman
especially : a fussy middle-aged woman

Examples of hen in a Sentence

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.
Many of these suppliers can literally house millions of hens per operation. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025 Further, the waste produced from the kitchen goes to the flock of 80 hens who lay eggs for Farmhouse Inn. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025 The outbreak has resulted in the slaughter of millions of hens in an effort to curb the spread, resulting in higher egg prices. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025 The primary reason for rising egg prices is a shrinking of the nation’s egg-laying hen population due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hen 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English henn; akin to Old English hana rooster — more at chant

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hen was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hen

Cite this Entry

“Hen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hen. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

hen

noun
1
: a female chicken especially over a year old
2
: a female of any bird

More from Merriam-Webster on hen

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