hen and chickens

noun

: any of several plants having offsets, runners, or flowers that send out shoots
especially : houseleek

Examples of hen and chickens in a Sentence

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.
Earlier this month, Cal-Maine Foods—the country’s largest egg producer—temporarily halted egg production after over one million egg-laying hens and chickens were killed after being infected with bird flu. Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hen and chickens was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near hen and chickens

Cite this Entry

“Hen and chickens.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hen%20and%20chickens. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!