lame duck

noun

1

: one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or achievement

especially, chiefly British : an ailing company

2

: an elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor

3

: one whose position or term of office will soon end

lame-duck

ˈlām-ˈdək 

adjective

Examples of lame duck in a Sentence

The President was a lame duck during the end of his second term.

Recent Examples on the Web

These races will give early clues about who will win the House Such an ambiguous outcome would complicate not only the legislative work Congress has on deck to tackle in the postelection lame duck session, but also the leadership landscape in the next Congress. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

This chapter of the cannabis civil war is coming to a close just as Congress is set to go into the lame duck session and as both candidates for President have espoused support for legalization. —Robert Hoban, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

We’re supposed to be in lame duck in early January. —Greg Bishop | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024

Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities during lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly in January 2023. —Greg Bishop | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lame duck

noun

: an elected official continuing to hold office until a successor takes office