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

The gradual drop-off in prices is due to a declining number of bird flu cases following a major outbreak in commercial flocks and egg-laying hens last winter. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Sometimes midday gobblers that have lost or bred their hens are the easiest ones to kill. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026

At least nine states, including California, Massachusetts and Colorado, currently require eggs sold within their borders to come from cage-free hens. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

For the third course, guests experience buttery Maine lobster with hen-of-the-wood mushrooms and melted Gruyère. —Dashae Engler, Midwest Living, 8 Apr. 2026

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