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

ˈlām-ˈdək 

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

Fraud bills generate significant savings, which could be important if lawmakers attempt to pass health care measures during lame duck. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 15 Sep. 2026

The move to kick the can on government funding and delay a potential budget reconciliation bill means both items could be at the top of a large pile of priorities facing lawmakers in the lame duck session. — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Trump may be fighting the ‘lame duck’ factor Second-term presidents typically see their power and influence wane during their last two years, particularly if their party suffers big midterm defeats. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Interestingly, one of the most famous of these acts predates the origin of the term lame duck. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lame duck

• thunderstruck
• amok
• amuck
• awestruck
• dumbstruck
• potluck
• roebuck
• unstuck
• woodchuck
• chuck
• cluck
• huck

Kids Definition

lame duck

noun

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