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

Travelers seeking a traditional bed-and-breakfast can grab a room and indulge in the homemade breakfast, featuring eggs laid from their own hens and fruit from their gardens. —Margot Mazur, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2024

The Prairie Pothole Region, researchers suspect, is incredibly dangerous for nesting hens in the summer. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2024

Tony has killed nearby hens and piglets while leaving a trail of paw prints for crews to track, according to Houston outlet Chron. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024

Some of those experts said that, based on genetic sequencing from one of the sickened farmworkers, the strain of the virus that infected all those hens and workers is related to a strain that’s been circulating in cows. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 24 July 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