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 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
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.
Brinks, for her part, described the lame duck possibilities as somewhat endless. Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024 Trump pardoned a single distant relative during the lame duck period of his first term: Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, who married Ivanka Trump. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Dec. 2024 Each of his predecessors has had a lame duck period, but none have coincided with such a decisive moment in the conflict. Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2024 Lawmakers projectes this year’s post-election lame duck session would be more productive than usual. Owen Tedford, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lame duck 

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lame duck was in 1761

Dictionary Entries Near lame duck

Cite this Entry

“Lame duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lame%20duck. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lame duck

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lame duck

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