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

Zoom in: Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico all allow backyard chickens, up to six hens apiece in each locality, plus other restrictions. —Karri Peifer, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025

The bird flu has resulted in the death of millions of hens, which has led to a shortage of eggs on grocery store shelves and for restaurants across the country. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025

For example, hens fed higher-quality feed and living in less stressful conditions, such as free-range hens, can produce higher-quality, more nutrient-rich eggs than those who eat and live poorly.89 Which Egg Color Tastes Better? —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2025

This has led to a shrinking of the nation’s egg-laying hen population and surge in egg prices. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for hen

• ben
• bren
• chen
• den
• en
• gen
• glen
• jen
• ken
• men
• pen
• sten

Kids Definition

hen

noun

ˈhen 

1

: a female chicken especially over a year old

2

: a female of any bird