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.
Lame Duck Session The hearing took place at a curious time, eight days before Christmas during a lame duck session. Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Without the parliamentary majority needed to pass laws, Scholz is however widely seen as a lame duck. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2024 The House approved the increase during its lame duck session, without debate, in a 56-53 vote, with Democrats voting yes and Republicans opposed. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 13 Dec. 2024 His status as a lame duck paradoxically gives him the power to do things possible only for a leader whose next step is retirement. Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 27 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 22 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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