spring chicken

noun

: a young person
is no spring chicken

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web However, those familiar with the game might remember playing it way back in gym class or at a summer camp—pickleball is no spring chicken, the sport was actually invented in 1965. John Thompson, Men's Health, 19 Jan. 2023 The average age of its congressional leadership is 72; the Democrats whom young voters are most likely to encounter are Biden (79), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (82), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (a spring chicken at 71). Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 17 Aug. 2022 Of course, James Taylor is still going strong as a spring chicken-like 74. Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 However, at 64 years old, the second edition of the company’s Mr. George Legacy series is certainly no spring chicken. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 June 2022 Still feisty and sounding like a spring chicken, Zaderecky was born the same day (April 22, 1918) as former Cleveland Indians first baseman Mickey Vernon. John Benson, cleveland, 20 Apr. 2022 Juliet — no spring chicken — should have found a lifelong mate years ago, according to Neiva Guedes, president of the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, an environmental group. David Biller, Star Tribune, 7 May 2021 Though not a spring chicken anymore, Foreman is still more than confident in his ability to defend himself, and win, in the ring. Jonathan Saxon, The Courier-Journal, 4 Mar. 2021 While no spring chicken at 33-years-old, Mandzukic would come in as a temporary fix to those striking difficulties on a deal that's length has not been specified. SI.com, 10 Oct. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spring chicken.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spring chicken was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near spring chicken

Cite this Entry

“Spring chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spring%20chicken. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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