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

Not every single hen can be tested, but a random and representative selection is tested each time. —Jess Craig, Vox, 14 May 2024

Cal-Maine said the hens represented about 3.6 percent of the company's total flock. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024

Forty-four roosters and hens were being kept in cages and boxes in the garage. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2024

Which liars are lying in season 3? Speaking of hens a-cluckin’, all the Big Little Liars were ringing up Witherspoon to see if there was really a season 3, or if Kidman was just On One. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 June 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