hen

noun

ˈhen 

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

For lunch he will be served Cornish hen, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce and rolls, and for Christmas dinner, two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

This body produced scientific opinions on laying hens and other farm animals following the End the Cage ECI. —Christine Ro, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Both the big 2022 price increase and the current uptick are largely a function of bird flu, which has severely reduced the number of laying hens in the country. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024

The husband regards them as a bunch of superstitious hens. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing hen

• Cornish game hen
• Cornish hen
• game hen
• hazel hen
• heath hen
• hen and chickens
• hen night
• hen of the wood
• hen of the woods
• hen party
• hen track
• marsh hen
• mother hen
• Rock Cornish game hen
• Rock Cornish hen
• tappit hen
• water hen

Kids Definition

hen

noun

ˈhen 

1

: a female chicken especially over a year old

2

: a female of any bird