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

The Senate health committee did not vote on whether to advance Overton to the Senate floor before departing earlier this month, leaving the decision for the lame duck session. — David Lim, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Lawmakers are expected to take up the bill in the lame duck session later this year. — Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2026

Supporters made a similar push in the lame duck session at the end of 2024 but ultimately fell short. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Negotiations on both fell apart earlier this month but could still be revived in the lame duck session. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 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