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
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
What to Know Joe Biden has signed several executive orders and laws during the lame duck period of his presidency that are targeted towards halting the Trump program.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Even the Golden Globes barely poked fun at the president-elect, a notable shift from the 2017 award show that centered around Trump’s first election and former President Obama’s lame duck period.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
During lame duck session, it was gutted and replaced with what’s known as Karina’s Law, named after a murder victim of domestic violence where the assailant had an order of protection against him.
—Greg Bishop | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Jan. 2025
Besides, every second-term president eventually becomes a lame duck.
—Alex Montoya, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lame duck 
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Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Even the Golden Globes barely poked fun at the president-elect, a notable shift from the 2017 award show that centered around Trump’s first election and former President Obama’s lame duck period.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
During lame duck session, it was gutted and replaced with what’s known as Karina’s Law, named after a murder victim of domestic violence where the assailant had an order of protection against him.
—Greg Bishop | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Jan. 2025
Besides, every second-term president eventually becomes a lame duck.
—Alex Montoya, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lame duck
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 20 Jan. 2025.
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