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
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.
The tray is also leak-proof, which ensures your hens can safely peck around in the open run below it. Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025 An average-sized production facility in the U.S. can house 75,000 to 500,000 hens. Jack Buffington, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025 Rink also believes the category works well with seafood and white meat, especially those with weighty textures and rich flavors like scallops with beurre blanc or an earthy, rustic preparation of chicken or Cornish hen. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2025 In what feels like an homage to that dish, a Miami favorite, is Shiso Chicken Please, a Cornish hen that comes with one half smoked and the other half fried and served with white barbecue sauce. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hen

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hen was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hen. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

hen

noun
1
: a female chicken especially over a year old
2
: a female of any bird

More from Merriam-Webster on hen

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