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 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
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.
Forcing such a vote would give Newsom a claim on being politically savvy and powerful enough to force changes in Washington, D.C. even as a lame duck. Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 7 May 2025 Talk of an unconstitutional third term distracts from other news and delays the day he is seen as a lame duck. Peter Baker, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 Trump’s thirstiest supporters are already seeking to either amend the Constitution or find a loophole through it, so don’t kid yourself and say that Trump is a lame duck in the way his predecessors since Dwight Eisenhower have been. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025 Trump's real goals in floating a third term: Distract from bad news and try not to be a lame duck. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lame duck

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lame duck was in 1761

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lame duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lame%20duck. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

lame duck

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lame duck

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