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

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

Toms gobble most just after first light, in an effort to attract hens. —Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026

The fenestrated containers can be planted with succulents like hens and chicks. —ABC News, 7 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